beat/scare the daylights out of somebody

beat the (living) daylights out of (one)

1. To physically attack one, as with punches and other blows, such that they suffer significant injury. This phrase can be used both literally and hyperbolically. Our neighbor is in the hospital because a burglar beat the daylights out of him. I'm worried that the captain of the football team will beat the living daylights out of me if he finds out that I'm secretly seeing his girlfriend. Oh, my boyfriend knows that I would beat the living daylights out of him if he ever lies to me about something that serious.2. To defeat one decisively in a competition. The final score was 17-1? Wow, we really beat the living daylights out of that team!See also: beat, daylight, of, out

scare the (living) daylights out of (someone)

To shock or frighten someone very suddenly and/or severely. Don't sneak up on me like that; you scared the living daylights out of me!See also: daylight, of, out, scare

beat/scare the (living) ˈdaylights out of somebody

(informal) hit somebody/something very hard and repeatedly; frighten somebody very much: He said if I did it again he’d beat the living daylights out of me! ♢ I don’t think I’ll go to see that new horror film at the cinema. Jane said it scared the daylights out of her.See also: beat, daylight, of, out, scare, somebody