Meaning: This idiom means to tremble or shake noticeably due to fear, nervousness, or cold. It implies a physical reaction that is very visible and often uncontrollable.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “He was about to give his first public speech and was shaking like a leaf.”
- “After hearing the unexpected loud noise, she was shaking like a leaf.”
- “Despite the warm weather, he was shaking like a leaf before his big job interview.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “shake like a leaf” comes from the natural observation of leaves trembling or quivering in the wind. This vivid image effectively conveys the uncontrollable and visible nature of trembling due to strong emotions or physical conditions. The phrase has been used in English since at least the 16th century to describe someone who is visibly shaking from fear, nervousness, or cold, drawing on the relatable and easily understood motion of leaves in the wind.
