to get your undies in a bundle
- idiom
- Informal
:
ponerse ansioso
- Don’t get your undies in a bundle; everything will work out just fine.
Examples
-
There's no reason for him to get his undies in a bundle about this change in schedule.
-
She tends to get her undies in a bundle over small mistakes at work.
-
Don't get your undies in a bundle over a small mistake!
-
Why do you always get your undies in a bundle about the weather?
-
Don't get your undies in a bundle; it's just a minor misunderstanding.
-
He always gets his undies in a bundle when plans change unexpectedly.
-
There's no need to get your undies in a bundle over a little delay.
Synonyms
4
9.9
To become too upset about a small problem
2
9.9
To become very upset about a small problem
2
9.1
To become upset or worried about small things
1
9.8
To become upset or worried about something not important
1
9.5
Become very upset about something small
To become upset over a small problem
To become very upset or worried about a small problem
Get very upset or worried about something small
To feel very irritated or upset about something small
To become confused and upset over small things
To suddenly lose control of your feelings because you feel overwhelmed
Antonyms
How Upset
- Informal
289
7.5
- Informal
33
6.5
- Informal
362
1.0
77
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
get + your + undies + in + a + bundle
The phrase maps a literal image (underwear bunched up) onto an emotional state (being upset), so there is a visible metaphorical link but the shift from physical entanglement to 'becoming overly upset' is idiomatic and not directly predictable from the words. This colloquial, culture-specific figurative usage (similar to 'get your knickers in a twist') means a B1 learner who knows the constituents may only sometimes infer the intended meaning, so it is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
The idiom get your undies in a bundle may come from the image of underwear (undies) getting twisted into a tight bundle, which is uncomfortable and distracting. So, to get your undies in a bundle means 'to become too upset or worried about something small'.