The creeps Meaning in English
expression
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈkɹips
thuh KREEPS
ðə, ði/ /kɹˈiːps
thuh KREEPS
Definition
A feeling of fear or discomfort, often caused by something scary, weird, or unsettling.
Usage & Nuances
Always used as 'give (someone) the creeps' or 'get the creeps.' Informal, not literal—describes a psychological feeling, not physical coldness. Often about people, places, or things that feel scary or odd. Don't use for excitement or positive fear.
Spanish: escalofríos (por miedo) - mal rollo (informal)Portuguese (BR): arrepio (de medo) - calafrios (por medo)Portuguese (PT): arrepios (de medo) - calafrios (por medo)Chinese (Simplified): 毛骨悚然 (mǎo gǔ sǒng rán) - 起鸡皮疙瘩 (qǐ jīpí gēda)Chinese (Traditional): 毛骨悚然 - 起雞皮疙瘩Hindi: सिहरन (डर के कारण)Arabic: قشعريرة (بسبب الخوف) - شعور مزعجBengali: গা ছমছমে লাগা - গা শিউরে ওঠাRussian: мурашки (от страха) - жуткое чувствоJapanese: ぞっとする感じ - 不気味な感じVietnamese: cảm giác rợn người - nổi da gà (vì sợ)Korean: 오싹함 - 소름Turkish: ürperti - tüyler ürpermesiUrdu: گھبراہٹ - خوف کا احساسIndonesian: merinding - meremang (karena takut)
Example Sentences
Spiders always give me the creeps.
basic
That old house gives her the creeps at night.
basic
Walking through the dark alley gave him the creeps.
basic
That weird doll in the corner seriously gives me the creeps.
natural
I got the creeps just listening to that ghost story.
natural
He gives me the creeps—there’s something off about him.
natural