give somebody the willies/heebie-jeebies/creeps

give (one) the creeps

To make one feel wary or uneasy due to eeriness or strange behavior. I stay away from that old house on the corner, it gives me the creeps! Why is that guy just standing around and not talking to anyone? He's giving me the creeps! Please don't leave me alone with Joe, he just gives me the creeps.

See also: creep, give

give (one) the heebie-jeebies

To cause one to feel an extreme or acute sensation of fear, apprehension, worry, or anxiety. Walking through a graveyard always gives me the heebie-jeebies. All these ghost stories are giving me the heebie-jeebies. I would never get a tattoo—just thinking about a needle prodding into my skin over and over again gives me the heebie-jeebies !

See also: give

give (one) the willies

To cause one to have a feeling of fear, dread, or squeamishness. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is giving me the willies! Ack, seeing that tank of cockroaches gave me the willies. I hate that my credit card number ends in 666—it just gives me the willies.

See also: give, willies

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

give somebody the ˈwillies/heebie-ˈjeebies/ˈcreeps

(informal) make somebody feel nervous or afraid: Being alone in this old house gives me the willies. ♢ He gives me the creeps. He’s got such strange eyes.

See also: creep, give, somebody, willies

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017