PhrasesHub

Make your hair stand on end

    Definitions

      • to cause fear or shock
        To describe something that is extremely frightening or shocking, causing a person's hair to stand up on their skin

      • to be very surprised or amazed
        To describe something that is extremely surprising or amazing, causing a person to feel shocked or amazed

    Examples of Make your hair stand on end

    • The sudden scream of a ghostly figure in the darkroom made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

      This idiom is used to describe a strong and sudden feeling of fear or shock. In this example, the sight of a ghostly figure in a dark room caused the person's hair to stand up, indicating an intense and frightening experience.

    • The solemn silence that followed the announcement of the test results left me speechless and made my hair stand on end.

      This idiom is used in situations where there is a sudden and profound impact, often resulting in a sense of unease or apprehension. The silence that comes after an announcement, such as the results of a test, can be so intense that it gives the person a feeling of apprehension or fear.

    • The sight of a wild animal in the open brought goosebumps to my skin and made my hair stand on end.

      This idiom describes a strong and sudden feeling of excitement, fear, or awe that can cause symptoms such as goosebumps and the sensation of hair standing on end. In this example, the sight of a wild animal in the open caused a strong emotional response in the person, leading to a sense of excitement and fear.

    • The talented musician's performance left the entire audience spellbound and made the hairs on their arms stand up.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone or something has such a profound impact that it causes a physical or emotional response. In this example, the audience's reaction to the musician's performance was so intense that it caused a physical response, such as standing hair.

    • The sudden sound of thunder in the quiet night made her hair stand on end.

      This idiom, "make your hair stand on end", is used to describe an intense and sudden feeling of fear, shock, or excitement that causes the hairs on the back of your neck to stand up. In this example, the woman's fear of the loud and unexpected sound of thunder made her body react physically as well as emotionally.

    • His chilling confession made my hair stand on end.

      This example shows the use of the idiom in a different part of the sentence. The confession made by the person being described is not only shocking but also sends chills down the listener's spine, which is indicated by the physical reaction of hair standing on end.

    • The spine-tingling story he told gave me goosebumps and made the hairs on my arm stand on end.

      The phrase "spine-tingling" is synonymous with the idea of making one's hair stand on end, which is also sometimes described as giving you goosebumps or making the hairs on your skin stand up. In this example, the listeners' intense emotional reaction to the story causes their body to physically reflect that inner experience.

    • The horrifying scene in the movie made my heart race and my hair stand on end.

      This last example shows how the use of the idiom can be part of a longer sentence. The movie scene is not only immediately frightening but also stirs strong emotions within the viewer, causing the hair on their scalp to rise and the heart to race simultaneously. The multi-sensory response mirrors the intensity of the experience being described.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "make your hair stand on end" is used to describe something that is very frightening, shocking, surprising, or amazing. It can be used in various situations to convey a strong emotional reaction to a particular event or experience.

    Origin of "Make your hair stand on end"

    The origin of the idiom "make your hair stand on end" is believed to come from the physical reaction of the body when experiencing fear or surprise. When a person is frightened or shocked, the body's natural response is for the hair to stand up on end, caused by the contraction of tiny muscles attached to the hair follicles. This physical reaction has been associated with the intense emotions of fear and surprise, leading to the development of the idiom to describe such strong feelings. The idiom has been used in literature and everyday language to convey the powerful impact of a frightening or surprising event on an individual. Examples of its usage can be found in various literary works and spoken language throughout history.