Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
give-someone-the-willies
idiomatic expression
/ɡɪv ˈsʌmwʌn ðə ˈwɪliz/
Definition
To cause someone to feel uneasy or uncomfortable, often due to fear or anxiety.
Examples
- That horror movie really gave me the willies; I couldn’t sleep afterward.
- The strange noises in the attic gave her the willies.
- Being alone in the dark forest gave him the willies.
Meaning
The phrase ‘give someone the willies’ describes an emotional reaction where an individual feels a sense of dread or nervousness, often leading to a chill or shiver up the spine.
Synonyms
- spook
- unnerve
- freak out
- give the creeps
- make someone uneasy
