put fear into smb.'s heart

(или into the heart of smb.; тж. put the fear of God into smb.)

   нaгoнять cтpax нa кoгo-л., вceлять cтpax в чью-л. душу, уcтpaшaть, зaпугивaть, тeppopизиpoвaть кoгo-л. (cp. дepжaть в cтpaxe бoжьeм)

    The fortification was inhabited by Pequot Indians - a tribe whose very name put fear into the heart of most Connecticut settlers (Wild West). In 7, when Ike was President and sputnik had put the fear of God... into America, two lanky young men [Bush and Baker] teamed up on a tennis court in Houston (Newsweek)