You're giving me the creeps!
Updated: Aug 19, 2021
A strange looking man walks past your home every evening. He does not appear normal. He may talk to himself, and even shout and scream at imaginary things. He makes you feel extremely nervous, even fearful. So, you might tell your friend that you get the creeps every time he walks by. Or you could say, “That guy really gives me the creeps.” Sometimes we would say that a situation or a person creeps us out. "The willies” are a lot like the creeps. You get the willies when you have a strange or anxious feeling, like when you are in a dark alley and hear something unusual.
Sometimes your body shows you what you are feeling in the form of tiny bumps on your skin called “goosebumps.” You could even get "shivers down your spine." This is when our body shakes very quickly. Sometimes we even say that someone walked over our grave.
Goosebumps can appear when you are afraid, excited or even very cold. In English, you might say “I get goosebumps every time I think about it” or “It gives me goosebumps.” Some English speakers may say "chicken skin" instead.
Having an anxious feeling can also mean something or someone is giving you “the heebie-jeebies.”. You might say “I got the heebie-jeebies when I saw him looking at me.”
Sometimes when we experience a different kind of anxious, like when we have to give a presentation, we could say we have "the jitters". Or when we have to make a final decision and take action but we are unsure if it's the right one, we could have "the jitters."
Pre-wedding jitters is quite common with brides-to-be.
Discussion
Has anyone ever given you the creeps?
Do you get the jitters before you have to give a speech or presentation?
What usually gives you goosebumps?
Do you get the willies often? Is it easy to scare you?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Are there any popular ghost stories in your town or country?
Do you enjoy watching scary movies? If so, what is your favourite?
What phrases do you say in your language when you feel nervous or scared?
Do you think you will use the phrases in the article?
