textbook fear

English

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textbook fear (countable and uncountable, plural textbook fears)

(psychology) A type of anxiety or apprehension felt toward a situation or decision that is commonly perceived as difficult, overwhelming, or universally feared, rather than based on personal experience.
I really want to move away for university, but the textbook fear of being on my own keeps holding me back.

She experienced textbook fear when facing the difficult decision to change careers.