stand on end
The phrase 'stand on end' is commonly used to describe a physical reaction to fear or shock, often visualized through hair standing upright.
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Definition
B2Physical Reaction
(idiomatic)To cause hair to rise due to fear or excitement.
Example
- The eerie sound made my hair stand on end.
B2Object Placement
To position something upright on its end.
Example
- He stood the broom on end in the corner of the room.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stand on end":
stand ondead standat a standstand instand upstand withstanding on one's headon endall standingstiff upstand forstand up withon one's feetstand stillstand bystick upturn on its headstraighten uphead upstand offother endstand fastturn upside downstay up