heebie jeebies
Skin-crawling unease
Heebie jeebies is a state of nervous anxiety or unease: That creepy old house gives me the heebie jeebies.
The term emerged in 1920s American slang, probably as nonsense reduplication.
It describes a physical sensation of discomfort—skin crawling, shivers—triggered by something unsettling.
Also spelled heebie-jeebies.
Involuntary bodily trembling
- goosebumpsRaised skin from cold
- chillsShivering spells from illness
- spookedFrightened into alertness
- eerieDisturbingly strange
unsettling · skin-crawling · spine-tingling · creepy-crawly · uncanny · willies · hair-raising · shudder
Sudden intense fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
startle · phobia · scare · dread · trembling · quivering · paralysis · fight-or-flight
Nervous agitation
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- antsyRestlessly eager or nervous
- fidgetyNervously unable to settle
- twitchyNervously prone to spasms
restless · edgy · squirmy · shaky · nail-biting · flustered · skittish · jumpy
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- misgivingUneasy feeling of doubt
- uneaseMild persistent worry
disquiet · qualm · premonition · wariness · suspicion · ominous · lurking · impending
shivers
Involuntary bodily trembling
- goosebumpsRaised skin from cold
- chillsShivering spells from illness
- spookedFrightened into alertness
eerie · unsettling · skin-crawling · spine-tingling · creepy-crawly · uncanny · willies · hair-raising · shudder · squicked
fright
Sudden intense fear
alarm · startle · phobia · scare · dread · trembling · quivering · paralysis · fight-or-flight · adrenaline
jitters
Nervous agitation
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- antsyRestlessly eager or nervous
- fidgetyNervously unable to settle
twitchy · restless · edgy · squirmy · shaky · nail-biting · flustered · skittish · jumpy · on-edge
apprehension
Nervous anticipation of trouble
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
- misgivingUneasy feeling of doubt
unease · disquiet · qualm · premonition · wariness · suspicion · ominous · lurking · impending · anticipatory
witchcraft
Practice of supernatural magic
curses · hexes · evil-eye · jinx · spirits · ghosts · possession · seance · conjuring · spells
heebie jeebiescalm
Free from agitation
serenity · tranquility · peace of mind · composure · ease
heebie jeebiesconfidence
Self-assurance or trust
self-assurance · fearlessness · boldness · nerve · aplomb
heebie jeebiescomfort
Ease or soothing relief
security · safety · coziness · warm fuzzies · reassurance