give (one) the screaming abdabs

To cause one to feel very anxious, uneasy, or annoyed. The origin of the word "abdabs" is unknown, though it is generally associated with feelings of anxiety. No, we're actually driving there because the thought of flying gives my wife the screaming abdabs. Threaten them with legal action then—that should give them the screaming abdabs and get them to stop illegally using our material. I hate having these medical tests done because waiting for the results gives me the screaming abdabs.

give someone the screaming abdabs

induce an attack of extreme anxiety or irritation in someone.

Abdabs (or habdabs ) is mid 20th-century slang whose origin is unknown. The word is sometimes also used to mean an attack of delirium tremens.