sending shivers down someone's spine
Causing visceral dread
Sending shivers down someone's spine means causing an intense physical or emotional reaction—a tingling sensation along the back triggered by fear, awe, excitement, or profound emotion.
The phrase works for terror The ghost story sent shivers down my spine and for beauty Her voice sent shivers down my spine.
The response is involuntary, suggesting something has reached past rational defenses to affect the body directly.
- ghost storiesTales of the supernatural
- eerie silenceUnsettling lack of noise
- chillsShivering spells from illness
- cold sweatFear-triggered perspiration
- spine-tinglingCausing thrilled fear
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