to get your panties in a wad
2
9.9
- idiom
- Informal
:
ponerse molesto
- Oh, don't get your panties in a wad.
Examples
-
She tends to get her panties in a wad when things don't go as planned.
-
What's got your panties in a wad, now?
-
Sorry, don't get your panties in a wad.
-
There's no need to get your panties in a wad over a small mistake.
-
Please don't get your panties in a wad about the deadline; we have plenty of time.
Synonyms
22
3.0
Complain loudly about something small
18
4.4
To show sudden strong anger or upset, often like a child
12
6.1
To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way
4
9.9
To become too 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
9.6
To become very worried or upset about small things
1
9.5
Become very upset about something small
1
9.6
To become too angry or upset about small things
To become very upset or worried about a small problem
To become very upset about something small
Get very upset or worried about something small
To become upset over a small problem
Get very upset and confused quickly
To become confused and upset over small things
To suddenly become very angry or upset and act childishly
To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way
To become very angry or upset about something small
Get very angry or upset about small things
Antonyms
How Upset
- Informal
289
7.5
- Informal
19
8.4
- Informal
2
9.9
362
1.0
77
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
get + your + pantie + in + a + wad
Although the constituents create a literal image of underwear being bunched, the intended sense ‘become overly upset or agitated’ is a colloquial, culture-specific metaphor that is not directly deducible from the parts. The meaning is idiomatic and slangy, so a B1 learner who knows the individual words but has not encountered the phrase would most likely not infer the correct sense.
Etymology
Get your panties in a wad shows underwear panties getting bunched up into a tight lump or wad, which would be uncomfortable and make someone fussy. That's why it means 'to become very upset' about a small thing.