deer in the headlights
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deer in the headlights
Where it comes from
From the image of a deer caught in a car's headlights – wide-open eyes, lack of motor reactions, etc.
noun deer in the headlights · deer in headlights
- A person in a mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety, fear, panic, surprise, confusion, or substance abuse.
- A person with a stunned or glazed expression. "What! I thought you were finished with principal photography." He looked disoriented, the deer in the headlights. Hints of extra crew time always had that effect on him.
Talk about this word "deer in the headlights." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/deer%20in%20the%20headlights. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. deer in the headlights. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/deer%20in%20the%20headlights "deer in the headlights." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/deer%20in%20the%20headlights.Cite this
@misc{deer_in_the_headlights_2026,
title = {deer in the headlights},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/deer%20in%20the%20headlights},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
