far tremare le vene e i polsi

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to make the veins and the wrists tremble.” From Dante's La Divina Commedia (see the quotation below). First attested in 1472.

Verb

far tremare le vene e i polsi

1. to scare; to frighten

   Synonyms: impaurire, terrorizzare

   • 2000 [1472], Dante Alighieri, “Inferno”, in Robert Hollander, Jean Hollander, transl., La Divina Commedia [The Divine Comedy], Doubleday:

     "Vedi la bestia per cu' io mi volsi; / aiutami da lei, famoso saggio, / ch'ella mi fa tremar le vene e i polsi."

     "See the beast that forced me to turn back. / Save me from her, famous sage -- / She makes my veins and pulses tremble."