have the wind up
To be frightened or disturbed.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He has the wind up about his upcoming exam.”
“The strange noises in the old house really have the wind up for the new tenants.”
“With the sudden arrival of the inspectors, the entire staff had the wind up, fearing that their minor errors would finally be exposed.”
- 01
as the wind blows
According to any given circumstances.
- 02
break wind
To expel gases generated during digestion, especially through the anus; to fart.
- 03
candle in the wind
A fragile or vulnerable thing, likely to be put in jeopardy.
- 04
finger to the wind
An attention to or focus on or awareness of current or prevailing trends, public opinion, or shifting circumstances.
- 05
four sheets to the wind
Extremely drunk.
- 06
get the wind up
To become frightened or disturbed.
- 07
get wind
To be divulged; to become public.
- 08
get wind in one's jaws
To have too much to say; talk too much; run at the mouth; to speak one's mind or voice one's opinion about a matter; blabber
Last updated August 10, 2026