der Schreck
fright
A sudden, brief feeling of fear or being startled, triggered by an unexpected event.
EXAMPLE
Als die Tür plötzlich aufging, bekam ich einen furchtbaren Schreck.
When the door suddenly opened, I got a terrible fright.
der Schreck
fright
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Meanings
mit dem Schreck davonkommen
to escape with a fright
To get through a potentially dangerous or bad situation without injury or major damage.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto hat einen Totalschaden, aber der Fahrer ist zum Glück mit dem Schreck davongekommen.
The car is totaled, but fortunately the driver escaped with a fright.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Schreck' (fright) is closely related to the verb 'erschrecken' (to be startled / to scare). When something unexpected happens, you are startled and get a fright.
EXAMPLE
Ich bin furchtbar erschrocken, als du plötzlich hinter der Tür standest.
I was terribly startled when you suddenly stood behind the door.
Typical collocations
'Schreck' (fright) is often combined with certain verbs. You 'bekommt einen Schreck' (get a fright), or you 'jagt jemandem einen Schreck ein' (give someone a fright / scare someone).
EXAMPLE
Mit dem lauten Geräusch hast du mir einen gehörigen Schreck eingejagt.
With that loud noise, you gave me quite a fright.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'mit dem Schreck davonkommen' (to escape with a fright) is a fixed unit. It means that you have survived a dangerous situation without physical injuries, even though something worse could have happened.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Unfall wurde das Fahrrad komplett zerstört, aber der Radfahrer ist mit dem Schreck davongekommen.
In the accident, the bicycle was completely destroyed, but the cyclist escaped with a fright.
Compare with
Schreck vs Schock
shock
Schock and Schreck both refer to a reaction to something unexpected and threatening. Schreck is usually the brief moment of being startled, while Schock emphasizes a stronger emotional shock that can continue to affect someone. Use Schreck for brief fear and Schock for particularly distressing news or events.
Schreck
Als plötzlich das Fenster zufiel, bekam die Familie einen kurzen Schreck.
When the window suddenly slammed shut, the family got a brief fright.
Schock
Die Nachricht vom schweren Unfall war für die Familie ein großer Schock.
The news of the serious accident was a great shock to the family.
In real life
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