shiver

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a shiver down (one's) spine

A shudder felt down one's back, due to either fear, anticipation, nervousness, or excitement. I felt a shiver down my spine at the thought of my exam tomorrow. John got a shiver down his spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, she felt a shiver down her spine.

a shiver ran down (one's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver ran down John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold shiver ran down my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver ran down her spine.

a shiver ran up (one's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver ran up John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold up ran down my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver ran up her spine.

a shiver runs/goes down (one's) spine

A shudder is felt down one's back, due to either fear, anticipation, nervousness, or excitement. A shiver runs down my spine every time I walk by that creepy old house. I felt a shiver go down my spine at the thought of my exam tomorrow. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, she felt a shiver go down her spine.

See also: down, goes, run, shiver, spine

a shiver went down (one's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver went down John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold shiver went down my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver went down her spine.

a shiver went up (one's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver went up John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold shiver went up my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver went up her spine.

get the shivers

1. To begin to feel fear or dread. Can we get out of here? I'm getting the shivers from this creepy old house!

2. To experience an acute tingling sensation resulting from intense pleasure, fear, exhilaration, or excitement. Wow, I got the shivers listening to that song! Did you write it yourself? The movie had the most incredibly twist ending. I seriously still get the shivers just thinking about it!

give (one) the shivers

1. To cause one to have a feeling of fear or dread. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is giving me the shivers!

2. To cause one to feel an acute tingling sensation resulting from intense pleasure, exhilaration, or excitement. Wow, that song gave me the shivers! Did you write that yourself? The movie had the most incredible twist ending. It seriously still gives me the shivers just thinking about it!

send a shiver down (one's) spine

To cause an intense feeling of excitement, exhilaration, nervousness, or fear in someone. The way that sonata swells always sends a shiver down my spine. It sent a shiver down my spine when Dorothy gave me such an amorous look. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is sending a shiver down my spine!

send a shiver up (one's) spine

To cause an intense feeling of excitement, exhilaration, nervousness, or fear in someone. The way that sonata swells always sends a shiver up my spine. It sent a shiver up my spine when Dorothy gave me such an amorous look. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is sending a shiver up my spine!

send shivers down (one's) spine

To cause an intense feeling of fear, nervousness, exhilaration, or excitement in someone. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is sending shivers down my spine! The way that sonata swells always sends shivers down my spine. It sent shivers down my spine when Dorothy gave me such an amorous look.

send shivers up (one's) spine

To cause an intense feeling of excitement, exhilaration, nervousness, or fear in someone. The way that sonata swells always sends shivers up my spine. It sent shivers up my spine when Dorothy gave me such an amorous look. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is sending shivers up my spine!

shiver me timbers

An exclamation of surprise. The phrase originated with sailors (as "shiver one's timbers" meant to destroy one's ship) and is usually used today in cartoonish portrayals of pirates. Well, shiver me timbers—I didn't think you were getting into town until tomorrow! You got cast as a pirate in the play? I bet you have one line—"Shiver me timbers!"

the shivers

1. Literally, involuntary physical shaking, as triggered by cold temperatures or illness. It's so cold down here, I've got the shivers! Can you please pass me that blanket? It's 75 degrees in here and you've got the shivers? Are you sure you don't have a fever?

2. Feelings of fear or dread. Can we get out of here? I'm getting the shivers from this creepy old house!

3. An acute tingling sensation resulting from intense pleasure, fear, exhilaration, or excitement. Wow, I got the shivers listening to that song! Did you write it yourself? The movie had the most incredible twist ending. It seriously still gives me the shivers just thinking about it!

a ˈshiver runs/goes down somebody’s spine

send a ˈshiver up/down somebody’s spine

feel, or make somebody feel, excitement or anxiety: This piece of music sends shivers down my spine. ♢ When I heard all those people shouting and screaming, a shiver ran down my spine.

See also: down, goes, run, shiver, spine

give somebody/get the ˈshivers

(informal) make somebody feel fear and horror: That old portrait gives me the shivers. ♢ I get the shivers every time I hear his name.