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Glite Dictionary
collywobbles

collywobbles

1 9.9
A nervous, uncomfortable feeling in the stomach
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑliˌwɑbəlz/
  • UK
: nervios
  • I always get the collywobbles before speaking in public.

Examples

  • The thought of the final exam gave her the collywobbles.

  • He blamed the bad seafood for his sudden attack of the collywobbles.

  • I have a bad case of the collywobbles before my speech.

  • Do you ever get the collywobbles when you're nervous?

  • I always get the collywobbles before speaking in public.

  • The thought of the final exam gave her the collywobbles.

  • Do you ever get the collywobbles when you're nervous?

Synonyms

stomachache
vscollywobbles
19 1.3

A pain in the stomach or belly that makes you uncomfortable

is often caused by nervousness or indigestion rather than just pain
bellyache
vscollywobbles
4 3.2

A pain in the stomach or tummy

is commonly tied to nervousness or digestion problems rather than simple ache
queasiness
vscollywobbles
3 5.8

A sick feeling in the stomach and a bit of worry

is stronger, often including cramps and clearer stomach pain
abdominal discomfort
vscollywobbles
1 4.4

A pain or uncomfortable feeling in the stomach area

focuses more on stomach cramps or queasy feelings than broad abdominal unease
squammy feeling
vscollywobbles
9.9

A strange, uncomfortable feeling you cannot explain

is a specific stomach pain or queasiness usually from nerves or indigestion

Antonyms

comfort
288 1.0

A feeling of physical ease and being free from pain

ease
238 1.0

A state of comfort and freedom from worry

How Queasy

nausea
90 3.0
collywobbles
  • UK
1 9.9
queasiness
3 5.8

Surface Forms

collywobbles singular
collywobbles plural

Morphology

collywobbles = collywobble (semi-transparent) = colly + wobble + s

The plural suffix is transparent, but the base 'collywobble' combines an obscure element 'colly' (from colic) with the familiar 'wobble', so the meaning is partly guessable but not fully predictable for learners.

Etymology

Collywobbles probably mixes colic ('stomach pain') and wobble ('to shake'), so imagine your belly 'wobbling' with cramps. That's why it means a nervous, queasy feeling or pain in the stomach.