"Have the wind up" is a British slang phrase used to describe a feeling of fear or anxiety. There are numerous synonyms for this phrase that can be used to convey a similar sentiment such as "on edge," "nervous wreck," "jittery," "tense," "spooked," "freaked out," "apprehensive," and "rattled." Each of these synonyms provides a slightly different shade of meaning to the phrase, but all convey an underlying sense of unease or trepidation. Whether someone is experiencing a sense of paranoia or just feeling generally anxious about a situation, there are plenty of words available to help describe that feeling when "having the wind up" fails to suffice.