jeebies

give (one) the creeps

To make one feel wary or uneasy due to eeriness or strange behavior. I stay away from that old house on the corner, it gives me the creeps! Why is that guy just standing around and not talking to anyone? He's giving me the creeps!
See also: creep, give

give (one) the heebie-jeebies

To cause one to feel an extreme or acute sensation of fear, apprehension, worry, or anxiety. Walking through a graveyard always gives me the heebie-jeebies. All these ghost stories are giving me the heebie-jeebies.
See also: give

give (one) the willies

To cause one to have a feeling of fear, dread, or squeamishness. Can we get out of here? This creepy old house is giving me the willies! Ack, seeing that tank of cockroaches gave me the willies.
See also: give, willies

the heebie-jeebies

An extreme or acute sensation of fear, apprehension, worry, or anxiety. Often used with "get" or "give." I always get the heebie-jeebies when I walk through a graveyard. All these ghost stories are giving me the heebie-jeebies.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

give somebody the ˈwillies/heebie-ˈjeebies/ˈcreeps

(informal) make somebody feel nervous or afraid: Being alone in this old house gives me the willies. He gives me the creeps. He’s got such strange eyes.
See also: creep, give, somebody, willies
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

heebie-jeebies

and heeby-jeebies (ˈhibiˈdʒibiz)
n. an extreme case of anxiety or fear. I have the heebie-jeebies whenever I go to the dentist.

heeby-jeebies

verb
See heebie-jeebies
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

heebie-jeebies

Anxiety or fear. Records indicate that “heebie-Jeebies” first appeared in print in a 1923 newspaper cartoon by one Billy DeBeck, in which a character says, “You dumb ox—why don't you get that stupid look offa your pan—you gimme the heeby jeebys!” The spelling changed over the years, as witnessed by its inclusion a year later in the “Alabamy Bound” popularized by the Paul Whitman Orchestra: “I'm Alabamy bound, there'll be no heebie-jeebies hanging 'round . . .”
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • give (one) the creeps
  • give somebody the willies/heebie-jeebies/creeps
  • give someone the creeps
  • heebie
  • willies
  • get the creeps
  • feel strange
  • like a cat in a strange garret
  • abdabs
  • give (one) the screaming abdabs
References in periodicals archive
Directors Graham Clarke and Peter Antonio, who also run Heebie Jeebies and The Peacock, said that despite its popularity the business was not profitable.
Popular music venue was not making money, says director
It might give you the heebie jeebies at your next dental appointment, but the London hit from the Menier Chocolate Factory will keep you rooted to your seats.
Mean, green ...and a bloody musical treat! Theatre Review
My reviewer side though noticed things like: repulsive violence, major use of drugs ("jeebies," rush?), and alcohol.
Saga
It's called Self-Destruction of a Man and it'll give you the heebie jeebies, the summertime blues, and the rockin' pneumonia all in one mega dose.
Like it hot?
This time, the heeby jeebies are provided by a family of furless werecats that can change their shape to look like humans and must drink the life force (whatever that is) of virgins to survive.
Filmguide
Before and after that, the comic brought several words and phrases into the American vernacular, including "bodacious," "heebie- jeebies," "horsefeathers," and "time's a-wastin'."
Obituaries
The young trumpeter had received quite a bit of notoriety as a protege of King Oliver and had acquired the reputation of being one of the exciting innovators of this new, hot music called "jazz." The group was performing a song called "Heebie Jeebies." But something went wrong during the recording process, and Louis Armstrong leaned into the microphone and began singing a series of nonsensical syllables, slightly mimicking the tone and timber of his horn.
Body and Soul: Bob Kaufman's Golden Sardine
The vicious attack happened at Heebie Jeebies, in Seel Street, and was reported to police just before 5am yesterday.
City clubber had face slashed
A brand new 400 capacity gig venue, record store, bar and restaurant from the team behind The Jacaranda, Heebie Jeebies and EBGBS is opening on Seel Street.
Massive new gig venue and bar opening from team behind The Jacaranda and Heebie Jeebies; The brand new venue is from the team behind The Jacaranda, Heebie Jeebies and EBGBS
The Perth midfielder has seen the Hibees' heebie jeebies grip the club from his four years in Leith.
We'll ramp up Hibees jeebies
Armed with bodies, cof-fins, eyeballs, spiders, monsters and witches, the dad-of-two does such a good job, he gives young and old on his street the heebie jeebies.
Gore blimey, what a gruesome display!
I am hoping to help Caesar because Jim's signature block continues to give me the heeby jeebies. While indeed, critics find fault in the best of things, including arguments, those claiming the knowledge high-ground should also be wary of pokey petards.
Pause for thought
Mr Clarke also owns several city centre bars including The Peacock and Heebie Jeebies.
Mystery closure of popular city centre bar
Also, my wife makes me watch it and he is giving me the heebie jeebies. - Sandy Howlett, Arbroath
More swizz than Wiz
When she talks about the State having a role in family life ("For me, it's not a question of when we intrude on family life but how and when.") I get the heeby jeebies.
Other ways to aid young