make (one's) hairs stand on end

make (one's) hairs stand on end

1. To scare or horrify one. The screams coming from the old, dark house made my hairs stand on end. When we go camping, every little noise outside my tent makes my hairs stand on end. It could be a bear, after all!

2. To give one goose bumps as a result of a strong emotional reaction. Her incredible speech made everyone's hairs stand on end! I won't lie, hearing my name on national television made my hairs stand on end.

See also: end, hair, make, on, stand

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

make someone's hair stand on end

alarm or horrify someone.

See also: end, hair, make, on, stand

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017