make hair stand on end

make someone's hair stand on end

to make someone feel very frightened. The thought of jumping out of an aeroplane makes my hair stand on end.

See also: end, hair, stand

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make your hair stand on end

to cause you to be very frightened. Massey's detailed account of the battle made my hair stand on end.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form feel your hair stand on end to recognize you are very frightened: I could feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck at the thought of crossing that old bridge.

raise your hackles

send shivers down your spine

Etymology: from the way the hair on a dog's neck points up when it is frightened or angry

See also: end, hair, stand