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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Describe nervous anticipation, fear, and emotional reactions without treating them as diagnoses.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe episode connects informal phrases for nervous anticipation and unease with visible reactions such as goosebumps. The lesson distinguishes pre-performance nerves from fear or discomfort, and avoids repeating the source’s suggestion that a person’s unusual behavior is evidence that they are dangerous.
Cultural note: “You give me the creeps” can sound like a personal accusation. When possible, explain the specific action that made you uncomfortable; if you feel unsafe, prioritize distance and support over finding the perfect idiom.
Keep exploringEnglish uses both body sensations and playful imagery to describe how anticipation or unease feels.
Phrase guide · 5 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Talk about nervous anticipation before speaking or performing.
Meaning
Feel nervous, especially before an important or unfamiliar event.
Tone & use
Informal and common before a performance, interview, or presentation; it describes a feeling, not a medical condition.
Example
“I usually get the jitters before a presentation, but a short rehearsal helps me settle in.”
Meaning
Develop small raised bumps on the skin, often because of cold, fear, or strong emotion.
Tone & use
A literal body reaction that can also emphasize how moving or frightening something feels.
Example
“The choir’s final note gave me goosebumps, even though I was sitting in a warm hall.”
Recognize informal ways to describe unease without labeling a person.
Recognition caution
Meaning
Make someone feel uneasy or frightened.
Tone & use
Informal and subjective. It is kinder and clearer to name the behavior that caused discomfort rather than label someone as creepy.
Example
“The repeated unwanted messages made her uncomfortable, so she blocked the account and told a friend.”
Can sound accusatory. Describe the specific behavior when it is safe and useful to do so.
Meaning
Feel nervous or uneasy, often because something seems unsettling.
Tone & use
Informal and somewhat playful or old-fashioned; it is less direct than saying that you feel unsafe.
Example
“The dark, unfamiliar stairwell gave me the willies, so I used the well-lit entrance instead.”
Meaning
Feel a strong, uneasy shiver or nervous reaction.
Tone & use
Very informal and playful. It is expressive but not a precise description of serious fear.
Example
“The creaking sound from the empty attic gave him the heebie-jeebies.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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