put the wind up someone

put the wind up (someone)

To make someone very anxious, upset, or frightened. If they keep putting pressure on you, we'll threaten them with legal action; that should put the wind up them!See also: put, up, wind

put the wind up someone

mainly BRITISH, INFORMALIf someone or something puts the wind up you, they make you afraid or worried. The delay put the wind up me because, by then, I knew something was very wrong. He has already put the wind up his management team by speaking of cuts. Note: You can also say that someone gets the wind up when they become afraid or worried. He got the wind up when he learned of their investigations.See also: put, someone, up, wind