the ick
/ðiː ɪk/·phrase
Gen ZCasualInternet↑ Trending 2023-2026From: UK reality TV (2017)
① 释义
A sudden, irrational feeling of disgust or turn-off toward someone you were attracted to — triggered by something small they did.
≈ 中文下头
突然对原本喜欢的人产生莫名其妙的反感、生理性出戏。通常是因为对方做了一个微小但让人接受不了的小动作（嚼东西的声音、笑声、穿鞋的样子……）。
② 母语者实际怎么用
Texting between friends
omg he chews with his mouth open. I got the ick so bad 😩
TikTok comment
POV: he sends 'k' as a reply and you instantly catch the ick 💀
TV show (Love Island)
I had the ick the moment he started talking about his ex over dinner.
③ ⚠️ 什么时候千万别用
- ❌ In a work email or job interview — this is 100% casual.❌ 不要在工作邮件或面试里用 — 这词 100% 口语。
- ❌ Don't say "I gave him the ick" — the ick is something you CATCH, not give. Use "I caught the ick" / "got the ick".❌ 别说「I gave him the ick」 — the ick 是「被引起」的不是「给」的。正确说法是「I caught/got the ick」。
- ⚠️ With people over 35, switch to "turn-off" — they likely won't understand.⚠️ 跟 35 岁以上的人聊改用「turn-off」 — 他们大概率听不懂这个词。
- ⚠️ Telling someone "you give me the ick" is rude — common breakup line on TikTok.⚠️ 当面跟别人说「you give me the ick」很伤人 — TikTok 上常见的分手台词。
④ 语法搭配
to get the ickto catch the ickto give sb. the ickick list (n.)to be icky (adj.)⑤ 同义表达
⑥ 反义表达
⑦ 这个词从哪来的展开 ▾
First popularized in the UK reality TV show Love Island around 2017. Exploded on TikTok in 2022 as Gen Z reclaimed it for dating discourse. By 2024 it's the standard term for "sudden irrational turn-off" across English-speaking internet. Etymologically a noun-ified form of "icky".
最早在 2017 年英国真人秀《Love Island》里走红。2022 年在 TikTok 上被 Gen Z 重新捧火，专门用来吐槽约会场景。到 2024 年已经成为英语网络上「莫名其妙下头」的标准说法。词源上是形容词 "icky"（恶心的）名词化而来。