put the wind up somebody

put the wind up (someone)

To make someone very anxious, upset, or frightened. If they keep putting pressure on you, we'll threaten them with legal action; that should put the wind up them!
See also: put, up, wind
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put the ˈwind up somebody

(British English, informal) make somebody frightened about something: He really put the wind up her with his stories of rats in the kitchen.
See also: put, somebody, up, wind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • put the wind up
  • put the wind up (someone)
  • put the wind up someone
  • get the wind up (one)
  • get/have the wind up
  • have the wind up
  • frighten
  • be frightened to death
  • scared to death
  • your hair stands on end
References in periodicals archive
"This week's events will have put the wind up somebody. Whoever knows the truth must think it's starting to close in on them.
Claudia mum: Net closing in on murderer