Н-53

НЁБО С (B) ОВЧИНКУ КАЖЕТСЯ/ПОКАЗАЛОСЬ кому highly coll VP subj. usu. pfv usu. this WO (in refer, to a short-lived, intense sensation) s.o. experiences extreme fear, intolerable pain etc: X-y небо с овчинку показалось - X thought (felt like) he was going to die (on the spot) X felt as if the sky were about to come crashing down on his head (on him) X felt like the world was closing in on him (in refer, to fear only) X was frightened (scared) out of his wits.

«Струсил ты, признайся, когда молодцы мои накинули тебе веревку на шею? Я чаю, небо с овчинку показалось...» (Пушкин 2). "You got scared, didn't you, when my lads threw the rope around your neck? Frightened out of your wits, weren't you?" (2a).