chill / shiver run up / down one's spine

/tʃˈɪl ɔː ʃˈɪvə ɹˈʌn ˌʌp ɔː dˌaʊn wˈɒnz spˈaɪn/

/tʃˈɪl ɔːɹ ʃˈɪvɚ ɹˈʌn ˌʌp ɔːɹ dˌaʊn wˈʌnz spˈaɪn/

[sentence]

chill / shiver run up / down one's spine

[SENTENCE]

used when one does or says something that makes someone become extremely scared or excited

[chill|shiver] [run] (up|down) {one's} [spine] definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "chill run up one's spine" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "chill run up one's spine" is derived from the physical sensation of feeling a sudden chill or shiver along the spine. This physiological response is often associated with fear, excitement, or a strong emotional reaction. This phrase is used in various contexts and occasions where there is a need to describe a sudden and intense feeling of fear, unease, or emotional impact and finds usage in literature, storytelling, movies, and everyday conversations to evoke a visceral reaction and emphasize the immediacy and intensity of the emotional response.

Examples

1. And I cannot tell you, that just sent shivers down my spine.

2. Whenever I hear that music, I feel a shiver down my spine.

3. Whenever I hear that music, I feel a shiver down my spine.

4. At its most terrifying, his writing sends shivers up and down my spine.

Nearby words