British & Australian, informal to make someone feel anxious about their situation.
Say you'll take him to court if he doesn't pay up - that should put the wind up him.
idiomget the wind up BrEBrE(often have the wind up)spoken to become worried or frightened about something:My mother's such a worrier - she gets the wind up as soon as I put my foot outside the door.At the first sign of unrest he got the wind up and sold off all his land in the area. —see also put the wind up sb
(redirected from get the wind up)
get the wind up (one)
To make someone very anxious, upset, or frightened. If they keep putting pressure on you, we'll threaten them with legal action—that should get the wind up them!