make (one's) hair stand on end

make (one's) hair stand on end

1. To scare or horrify one. The screams coming from the old, dark house made my hair stand on end. When we go camping, every little noise outside my tent makes my hair stand on end. It could be a bear, after all!
2. To give one goose bumps as a result of a strong emotional reaction. The speech she gave was incredible. It made everyone's hair stand on end! I won't lie, hearing my name on national television made my hair stand on end.
See also: end, hair, make, on, stand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

make someone's hair stand on end

Fig. to cause someone to be very frightened. The horrible scream made my hair stand on end. The ghost story made our hair stand on end.
See also: end, hair, make, on, stand
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

make one's hair stand on end

Also, make one's hair curl. Terrify one, as in The very thought of an earthquake makes my hair stand on end, or Diving off a high board is enough to make my hair curl. The first term, first recorded in 1534, alludes to goose pimples prompted by fear, which cause the hairs around them to stand up. The variant dates from the mid-1900s.
See also: end, hair, make, on, stand
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

make your hair stand on end

If something makes your hair stand on end, it makes you very frightened or shocked. The first ten minutes of the film made my hair stand on end. Things happened that night that would make your hair stand on end. Note: When someone is very frightened, you can say that their hair stands on end. `What's that?' Chet's hair stood on end as an eerie howling came to his ears.
See also: end, hair, make, on, stand
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

make someone's hair stand on end

alarm or horrify someone.
See also: end, hair, make, on, stand
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • make hair stand on end
  • make one's hair stand on end
  • make someone's hair stand on end
  • make your hair stand on end
  • make (one's)/the hair stand up on the back of (one's) neck
  • (one's) hair stands on end
  • your hair stands on end
  • stand on end
  • make your blood run cold
  • make one's blood run cold