frighten one out of one's wits meaning

[American idiom]
to frighten one very badly.
• Oh! That loud noise scared me out of my wits.
• I'll give him a good scolding and frighten him out of his wits.

[American slang]
Fig. to frighten one very badly.
  Oh! That loud noise scared me out of my wits.
  I'll give him a good scolding and frighten him out of his wits.
  Oh, you frightened me out of a year's growth!
  You frightened Bob out of his mind.