The Ick
PhenomenonA sudden, irrational feeling of disgust toward someone you were attracted to.
What it means
The ick is when something — a small mannerism, a tone of voice, a specific outfit choice — flips a switch in your brain from attraction to revulsion. Once you get the ick, it's notoriously hard to come back from. It became cultural shorthand around 2020 via TikTok, where people share specific 'icks' that ended their dating interest.
Related terms
Make the first impression the easy part.
Turn the photo you have into a better photo or a short video. Still you, on a good day.