make toes curl

make somebody's toes curl  (British & Australian)

if an experience makes your toes curl, it makes you feel extremely embarrassed and ashamed for someone else The very thought of what she said makes my toes curl. (British & Australian)

See also: curl, make, toe

make somebody's toes curl  (American) also curl somebody's toes (American)

to frighten or shock someone A loud scream from the next room made her toes curl.

See also: curl, make, toe