panic (one) by (doing something)

panic (one) by (doing something)

To do something that causes one to experience an extreme or debilitating amount of fear or anxiety. Forecasters panicked millions of people by incorrectly predicting the path of the hurricane. I think you panicked him by bursting out the door like that.See also: by, panic

panic someone by something

to make someone lose control by doing something. She panicked Denise by describing the event too vividly. She panicked her horse by jerking the reins too tightly.See also: by, panic