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Glite Dictionary
😤 A fuss 📝 A task
to-do

to-do

262 7.0
A noisy fuss about something not important
  • noun
  • /təˈdu/
  • Informal
translation icon : alboroto
  • I can’t believe the to-do over the new dress code at work; it’s just a simple change.

Examples

  • There was quite a to-do about the party plans, despite it being just a gathering of friends.

  • So glad I made a to-do list.

    The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022)

  • The manager created a to-do after the meeting to address the minor issues raised.

Synonyms

fuss
vsto-do
145 1.5

A lot of worry or complaint about something small

is the common term for that sort of noisy, trivial upset or outburst
disruption
vsto-do
126 4.1

A break in the normal flow of activity

describes an excited reaction rather than a process interruption
commotion
vsto-do
73 4.1

A noisy situation when people are excited or confused

stresses that the reaction is often over something unimportant rather than only being noisy
disturbance
vsto-do
45 3.7

A noisy event in a public place that bothers other people

is about an excited reaction often over trivial matters, not only public incidents
kerfuffle
vsto-do
  • Informal
8 8.8

A small noisy fuss when people disagree

is the label for similar noisy reactions not limited to argument causes
hullabaloo
vsto-do
  • Informal
7 7.9

A loud noisy fuss made by people, often during protests or celebrations

is used for any excited outburst, not only group or protest situations
flutter
vsto-do
4 4.9

A short sudden commotion in a group

is used for such reactions regardless of how long they last
hoo-ha
vsto-do
  • Informal
1 9.6

A noisy fuss about something unimportant

is the same noisy reaction but serves as a general neutral label
hurly-burly
vsto-do
  • Literature
1 9.6

A noisy, confused situation with many people and activity

means a similar upset but usually smaller or less chaotic in scale
hoo-hah
vsto-do
  • Informal
1 9.4

A noisy fuss that causes excitement and arguments

focuses on excited outbreaks often over trivial matters rather than disputes
fuffle
vsto-do
  • Informal
9.9

A small noisy fuss about something unimportant

is used for any excited outburst, not only small or brief ones
tzimmes
vsto-do
  • Informal
9.9

An unnecessary fuss or worry about a small problem

is the broader label for such reactions, not only the show of concern
tsimmes
vsto-do
  • Informal
9.9

A lot of fuss about something small

is the wider name for such needless worry rather than the display alone

Antonyms

calm
52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

How Intense

furor
  • US
20 7.0
uproar
47 3.9
to-do
  • Informal
262 7.0
stir
80 4.2

Surface Forms

to-do singular
to-dos plural

Morphology

to-do = to + do (opaque) = to + do

The components 'to do' are recognisable, but the sense 'commotion, disturbance, or excited outburst' is a lexicalised idiom rather than a predictable compositional meaning.

Etymology

To-do meaning a fuss comes from the old phrase to do, which meant 'to act', and it is like the older word ado, which meant 'fuss' or 'trouble'. So a to-do is an excited disturbance or a fuss, often over something small.