the heebie-jeebies
the heebie-jeebies — noun
1. a feeling of being nervous, frightened, or uncomfortable because something seems
a feeling of being nervous, frightened, or uncomfortable because something seems strange, creepy, or threatening
The old hospital on Pine Street gave João the heebie-jeebies.
give [someone] the heebie-jeebies — used for spooky places
Wei gets the heebie-jeebies every time the elevator breaks down.
get the heebie-jeebies — routine nervous reaction
There was something about the empty playground at midnight that gave Léa the heebie-jeebies.
The strange phone calls at three in the morning gave Andrés the heebie-jeebies.
After watching the horror movie, Hoa had the heebie-jeebies for the rest of the night.
- the creeps
very similar informal phrase; 'the creeps' focuses more on disgust or unease from something unsettling
- the jitters
more about nervousness before an event than fear of something creepy
- goosebumps
can describe the same physical sensation but is neutral (also used for excitement, not just fear)
- calm
opposite emotional state
文法句型
give + [someone] + the heebie-jeebies
get + the heebie-jeebies
have + the heebie-jeebies
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the'. The phrase is plural in form but singular in meaning. Common verbs that introduce it are 'give', 'get', and 'have'.