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heebie-jeebies

heebie-jeebies

9 9.9
A strong nervous or scared feeling that makes you feel uneasy
  • noun
  • /ˈhiːbiˈdʒiːbiz/
  • Slang
translation icon : nervios
  • The mere thought of that gives me the heebie-jeebies.
  • give me the heebie-jeebies
  • get the heebie-jeebies
  • case of the heebie-jeebies

I live in the universe, no such thing that can give you the heebie jeebies, as they say.

Examples

Synonyms

nervousness
vsheebie-jeebies
36 2.7

A feeling of being worried or anxious

is a stronger, more intense feeling than this general state
unease
vsheebie-jeebies
19 4.4

A feeling of worry and not being relaxed

is a much stronger anxious feeling rather than mild discomfort
butterflies in one's stomach
vsheebie-jeebies
  • Informal
5 3.9

A feeling of nervous excitement in your stomach before an important event

is a more general strong anxiety not tied to stomach sensations
anxiousness
vsheebie-jeebies
3 3.8

A feeling of worry and nervousness before an event or about the future

is a strong uneasy feeling not only about uncertainty
jitteriness
vsheebie-jeebies
1 6.9

A feeling of nervousness that makes you shake or move a lot

is a strong feeling that does not focus on bodily movement
jitters
vsheebie-jeebies
  • Informal
1 5.5

A strong nervous feeling that often comes before an important event

is a general strong unease not limited to before events
willies
vsheebie-jeebies
  • Informal
1 8.8

A strong nervous feeling that makes you uncomfortable

is a strong uneasy feeling without the spooky or creepy tone
jumpiness
vsheebie-jeebies
1 5.9

Being nervous and easily scared by small noises or movements

is a strong unease that is not mainly about startle reactions
creepies
vsheebie-jeebies
  • Informal
8.9

A nervous, uncomfortable feeling caused by something scary or strange

is a general strong unease not always caused by spooky things

Antonyms

38 5.1

Calm control of your feelings and actions in a difficult situation

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

How Nervous

to panic
272 2.3
heebie-jeebies
  • Slang
9 9.9
nervousness
36 2.7
apprehension
32 4.4
unease
19 4.4

Surface Forms

heebie-jeebies singular

Etymology

Heebie-jeebies is a playful rhyming phrase from old American slang used to name a strong, shivery feeling of fear or nervousness. A helpful way to remember it is to think of the familiar word jitters, because both mean a 'nervous' or 'shaky' feeling, which is why getting the heebie-jeebies means you feel uneasy.