deer in the headlights

== English == === Etymology === From the image of a deer caught in a car's headlights – wide-open eyes, lack of motor reactions, etc. === Pronunciation === === Noun === deer in the headlights (plural deer in the headlights) (idiomatic) A person in a mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety, fear, panic, surprise, confusion, or substance abuse. (idiomatic) A person with a stunned or glazed expression. ==== Alternative forms ==== deer in headlights ==== Synonyms ==== rabbit in the headlamps (UK) rabbit in the headlights (UK, Australia) ==== Derived terms ==== === References === “deer in the headlights”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.