make (one's) hair stand on end

make (one's) hair stand on end

To scare or horrify someone. The screams coming from the old, dark house made my hair stand on end. When we go camping, every little noise outside my tent makes my hair stand on end. It could be a bear, after all!See also: end, hair, make, on, stand

make someone's hair stand on end

Fig. to cause someone to be very frightened. The horrible scream made my hair stand on end. The ghost story made our hair stand on end.See also: end, hair, make, on, stand

make one's hair stand on end

Also, make one's hair curl. Terrify one, as in The very thought of an earthquake makes my hair stand on end, or Diving off a high board is enough to make my hair curl. The first term, first recorded in 1534, alludes to goose pimples prompted by fear, which cause the hairs around them to stand up. The variant dates from the mid-1900s. See also: end, hair, make, on, stand

make your hair stand on end

If something makes your hair stand on end, it makes you very frightened or shocked. The first ten minutes of the film made my hair stand on end. Things happened that night that would make your hair stand on end. Note: When someone is very frightened, you can say that their hair stands on end. `What's that?' Chet's hair stood on end as an eerie howling came to his ears.See also: end, hair, make, on, stand

make someone's hair stand on end

alarm or horrify someone.See also: end, hair, make, on, stand