Jump out of your skin

Meaning

React with shock or surprise.

Usage

Used for startled reactions both physical and emotional.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Vivid body language suggests one is shaken beyond the bones.

Appears in early 20th-century colloquial speech and cartoons.