shiver



a shiver down (one's) spine

A shudder felt down one's back, due to either fear, anticipation, nervousness, or excitement. I felt a shiver down my spine at the thought of my exam tomorrow.
See also: down, shiver, spine

send a shiver down (someone's) spine

To cause an intense feeling of excitement, exhilaration, nervousness, or fear in someone. The way that sonata swells always sends a shiver down my spine. It sent a shiver down my spine when Dorothy gave me such an amorous look. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is sending a shiver down my spine!
See also: down, send, shiver, spine

send a shiver up (someone's) spine

To cause an intense feeling of excitement, exhilaration, nervousness, or fear in someone. The way that sonata swells always sends a shiver up my spine. It sent a shiver up my spine when Dorothy gave me such an amorous look. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is sending a shiver up my spine!
See also: send, shiver, spine, up

send shivers up (someone's) spine

To cause an intense feeling of excitement, exhilaration, nervousness, or fear in someone. The way that sonata swells always sends shivers up my spine. It sent shivers up my spine when Dorothy gave me such an amorous look. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is sending shivers up my spine!
See also: send, shiver, spine, up

a shiver ran down (one's/someone's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver ran down John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold shiver ran down my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver ran down her spine.
See also: down, ran, shiver, spine

a shiver ran up (one's/someone's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver ran down John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold shiver ran down my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver ran down her spine.
See also: ran, shiver, spine, up

a shiver went down (one's/someone's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver went down John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold shiver went down my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver went down her spine.
See also: down, shiver, spine

a shiver went up (one's/someone's) spine

Said when one has experienced an intense feeling of fear, panic, dread, shock, exhilaration, or excitement. A shiver went up John's spine when he overheard the managers discussing the money he'd stolen from the company safe. A cold shiver went up my spine at the thought of having to work for another minute in that awful restaurant. When they announced that Sarah would have the chance to meet a movie star as a part of her prize, a shiver went up her spine.
See also: shiver, spine, up

shiver me timbers

An exclamation of surprise. The phrase originated with sailors (as "shiver one's timbers" meant to destroy one's ship) and is usually used today in cartoonish portrayals of pirates. Well, shiver me timbers—I didn't think you were getting into town until tomorrow! You got cast as a pirate in the play? I bet you have one line—"Shiver me timbers!"
See also: shiver, timber

send shivers down your spine

also send shivers up your spine
to feel very frightened or excited Here's a tale of medical incompetence that should send shivers down your spine. Related vocabulary: make your hair stand on end
See also: down, send, shiver, spine

send shivers down/up somebody's spine

to make someone feel very frightened or excited The way he looked at me sent shivers down my spine.
See drive round the bend, send on a guilt trip, send into a tizz, drive round the twist
See also: down, send, shiver, spine

give somebody the shivers

  (informal)
to frighten someone or make them nervous That man who hangs about in the lane gives me the shivers.
See send shivers down spine
See also: give, shiver

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
ElsELSDutch
Muirne-Irish Mythology
KristiKRIS-teeEnglish
Wynne (2)WINEnglish (Rare)
Tomokoto-mo-koJapanese
Erasmos-Ancient Greek