stiiff up

[logman]

I've heared the phrase in conversation "he stiffs me up".

what exactly dose it mean,where and when did it originate ?

[Quizmonster]

One meaning of the verb 'to stiff' in American slang was to cheat or refuse to pay. A waiter, for example, might complain that a customer whom he had served well had "stiffed him" over the tip. I'm not at all sure about the addition of 'up' after the verb, however.
Obviously, I have no idea of the circumstances in which you heard the phrase, but could it possibly mean 'cheats'?
It could, of course, mean 'terrifies' or even 'horrifies' in the sense that this person makes one rigid with fear.

[logman]

Thanks Quizmonster, I thought you would give me an answer eventually. The expression (stiff up) was used in a speach by a leading US political figure, but i did not want this to distract from the question.

my idea/interpretation of it was, (he angers or annoys me)

[Quizmonster]

Yes...why not? I imagine the rigidity I referred to earlier might just as easily be caused by rage as by fear. I'm thinking of the sort of situation in which one grits one's teeth and growls in frustration.