sent shivers down someone's spine
Caused profound dread
To send shivers down someone's spine is to cause a strong physical or emotional reaction—typically fear, excitement, or awe.
The phrase evokes the literal sensation of chills traveling along the back: Her voice sent shivers down my spine.
It can describe terror (The ghost story sent shivers down our spines) or profound beauty (The orchestra's finale sent shivers down my spine).
- ghost storiesTales of the supernatural
- chillsShivering spells from illness
- bone-chillingExtremely cold or terrifying
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- spine-tinglingCausing thrilled fear
horror movies · goosebumps · hair-raising · cold sweat · fight or flight · dread · scared stiff · shuddering · exhilaration · thrill · amazement · breathtaking · wonder · tingling · nerve-wracking · blood-curdling · skin-crawling · quivering