To Make One’s Hair Stand on End
To terrify. The Book of Job (4:14–15) states, “Fear came upon me . . . and the hair of my flesh stood up.” The allusion here is to the goose pimples aroused by fear (or cold), the raised bumps on the skin that cause the hairs around them to stand up. Centuries later, this gave rise to the adjective “hair-raising,” a synonym for terrifying.
Similar Terms, Proverbs, and Expressions:
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Hair-raising: Anything frightening or thrilling enough to make one’s hair stand up.
- Synonyms: spine-chilling, eerie, scary
- Antonyms: relaxing, soothing, calming
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Give someone the creeps: To make someone feel uneasy or nervous.
- Example: “That old abandoned house gives me the creeps every time I pass it.”
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Scared stiff: To be extremely frightened or terrified.
- Example: “I was scared stiff when I heard a noise downstairs in the middle of the night.”
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Jump out of one’s skin: To be extremely startled or scared.
- Example: “I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw that spider!”
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Scare the living daylights out of someone: To frighten someone severely.
- Example: “The surprise party nearly scared the living daylights out of me!”
Humor-Filled Quote:
“I’d tell you a hair-raising story, but I’ve got a salon appointment next week! Why spoil the fun?” – C. Creepy Quotes
Literature, Books, and Films:
- Literature: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
- Books: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
- Films: Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Inspirational and Thought-Provoking Farewell:
Remember, tales that make us gasp and shiver also make us appreciate the warmth of sunshine and the comfort of love. So go ahead, dive into the terrifying, the eerie, and the hair-raising, because sometimes fear makes life thrilling!
