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Glite Dictionary
in a real state

in a real state

9.4
Feeling very upset or worried and showing strong feelings
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : en un estado lamentable
  • She was in a real state after hearing the news of her friend's accident.

Examples

  • Don't call him right now; he's in a real state over the test results.

  • Why are you in a real state over this?

  • Their house was so messy, it looked like they were in a real state.

  • She was in a real state after the argument.

  • She was in a real state after hearing the news of her friend's accident.

  • Don't call him right now; he's in a real state over the test results.

  • She was in a real state after the argument.

Synonyms

state
vsin a real state
∞ 1.6

The condition of someone or something at a particular time

is narrower, meaning specific emotional disturbance, distress, or agitation
disturbed
vsin a real state
37 3.8

Feeling upset or worried and unable to think clearly

describes emotional disturbance focused on distress and agitation rather than clinical instability
distressed
vsin a real state
35 2.9

Feeling very upset, worried, or hurt

focuses only on emotional disturbance and agitation rather than physical pain
upset
vsin a real state
9 2.5

Being in a state of disorder or confusion

refers to emotional disturbance and agitation rather than general disorder

Antonyms

at peace
109 2.1

Calm and free from worry or conflict

content
108 1.0

A feeling of being happy with what you have

How Upset

distraught
86 7.2
in a real state
  • UK
9.4
upset
∞ 1.0
bothered
1.6
calm
735 1.0

Surface Forms

in a real state main

Morphology

in + a + real + state

The phrase combines 'real' (genuine/intense) with 'state' (condition), so a learner who knows the words can infer it refers to being in a notable or serious condition. However, the specific colloquial sense of emotional disturbance/upset and the pragmatic intensifying role of 'real' (especially in British usage) are not fully predictable from the parts, making the expression only partially transparent.

Etymology

The idiom in a real state comes from the idea of being literally in a messy or disturbed condition, like a person with hair and clothes all out of place or a room in chaos, and the word real just makes that scene stronger. That's why it means 'very upset' or 'distressed'.