身(み)の毛(け)もよだつ

みのけもよだつ

expression

hair-raising; spine-chilling; terrifying

1. hair-raising; spine-chilling; terrifying

Describes something so frightening or horrifying that it makes one's body hair stand on end. Literally means 'even the hairs on one's body stand up.' Used for intense fear, horror, or revulsion.

身(み)の毛(け)もよだつ話(はなし)を聞(き)いた。

I heard a hair-raising story.

その事件(じけん)の詳細(しょうさい)は身(み)の毛(け)もよだつものだった。

The details of that incident were spine-chilling.

暗(くら)い山道(やまみち)で身(み)の毛(け)もよだつような叫(さけ)び声(ごえ)が聞(き)こえて、足(あし)がすくんだ。

On the dark mountain path, I heard a blood-curdling scream and my legs froze.

Usage

Often used as a prenominal modifier: 身(み)の毛(け)もよだつ + noun. Can also be used with ような to create a simile: 身(み)の毛(け)もよだつような体験(たいけん) (a hair-raising experience). よだつ means 'to stand on end.'

Common collocations

身(み)の毛(け)もよだつ話(はなし) (a hair-raising story)
身(み)の毛(け)もよだつ体験(たいけん) (a terrifying experience)
身(み)の毛(け)もよだつような光景(こうけい) (a horrifying sight)

Similar words

鳥肌(とりはだ)が立(た)つ: to get goosebumps — can be used for both fear and emotional excitement
背筋(せすじ)が凍(こお)る: one's spine freezes — similar intensity of fear
ぞっとする: to shudder — can be used for fear, cold, or horror

Related Words

Synonym: 鳥肌(とりはだ)が立(た)つ (goosebumps)

Synonym: ぞっとする (to shudder)

general

Added 2026.3.17 13:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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