Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
give someone the willies
idiomatic expression
/ɡɪv ˈsʌmˌwʌn ðə ˈwɪliz/
Definition
To cause someone to feel nervous, uneasy, or frightened.
Examples
- The eerie noises coming from the attic gave me the willies.
- Her spooky story about ghosts really gave everyone the willies.
- Watching that horror movie alone in the dark gave him the willies.
Meaning
This phrase describes a situation where something makes a person feel a sense of anxiety or discomfort, often due to fear or surprise.
Synonyms
- creep out
- give someone the creeps
- make someone uneasy
