Rank the things that genuinely terrified you as a child, from mildly spooky to absolutely petrifying.

A natural way to answer

Starting with the least frightening, I'd put spiders — more startling than terrifying. Next, the deep end of the swimming pool, which I steered clear of for years. But the worst, without question, was being separated from my parents in a crowd. That fear could really get under my skin.

Key phrases to use

• live with it — to tolerate or accept something unpleasant“It's not ideal, but I can live with it.”
• hide under the covers — to pull the bedding over yourself, especially out of fear“During storms I'd hide under the covers.”
• scared stiff — so frightened that you cannot move“The noise left me scared stiff.”
• steer clear of — to deliberately avoid someone or something“I steer clear of horror films.”
• get under your skin — to bother or disturb you persistently“His comments really got under my skin.”
• brush off — to treat something as unimportant and not let it affect you“She brushed off the criticism.”
• turn your blood cold — to fill you with sudden, intense fear or dread“That scream turned my blood cold.”
• quake in your boots — to tremble with fear“I was quaking in my boots before the test.”