get the ick

Meaning

To 'get the ick' means to experience a sudden, often irrational feeling of disgust or turn-off toward someone you were previously attracted to. Once you get 'the ick,' it is almost impossible to find that person attractive again. It is widely used in dating contexts and casual conversations.

Examples

• I liked him until he was rude to the waiter, and then I got the ick.

  I liked him until he was rude to the waiter, and then I got the ick.

• Seeing him run with a backpack made her get the ick.

  Seeing him run with a backpack made her get the ick.

• She got the ick when he started talking about himself in the third person.

  She got the ick when he started talking about himself in the third person.

• I tried to ignore it, but I definitely got the ick after our last date.

  I tried to ignore it, but I definitely got the ick after our last date.

• It's hard to date when you get the ick over the smallest things.

  It's hard to date when you get the ick over the smallest things.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ His behavior was very ick to me.

  ✓ His behavior gave me the ick.

  'Ick' is typically used as a noun in the phrases 'get the ick' or 'give someone the ick,' rather than as an adjective.

• ✗ I got an ick from her.

  ✓ I got the ick.

  The phrase uses the definite article 'the' ('get the ick'). Using 'an' sounds incorrect to native speakers.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I really liked her, but when she chewed with her mouth open, I ___ immediately.

  💡 Experienced a sudden feeling of disgust or turn-off.

  Show answer

  got the ick

• Sometimes a tiny, silly habit can make you ___ about someone.

  💡 To lose romantic attraction suddenly due to a minor turn-off.

  Show answer

  get the ick