in a tizzy
5
8.6
- idiom
- Informal
- The American government, media, and corporate establishment are all in a tizzy over the latest poke from Wikileaks.
- get in a tizzy
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Watch on YouTubeNow the parent is in, you know, in a tizzy because these children don't get along.
- Now the parent is in, you know, in a tizzy because these children don't get along.
Examples
-
People are getting all in a tizzy over the truth.
Blog text (31) -
The Penguin people were in a tizzy.
Fiction book (1999) -
Now, you all must be in a tizzy.
-
"It's good we have caught you," she says in a tizzy.
Fiction book (1994) -
And they are all in a tizzy!
Blog text (30) -
When I walked in, all the girls in the office were in a tizzy.
-
Honey, don't get yourself in a tizzy about all this.
-
A client once called me in a tizzy because her doctor said her water levels were low and that she had to induce right away.
Blog text (8) -
Republican Megyn Kelly is in a tizzy because the Romney bounce from the debate proved not to be that big in the swing states.
Blog text (30) -
When I walked in, all the girls in the office were in a tizzy over the unexpected news.
Synonyms
94
3.9
Very worried and acting quickly in a wild, uncontrolled way
84
4.1
Feeling nervous, upset, and not calm
43
7.0
Feeling nervous and confused after a sudden, unexpected event
25
4.5
Feeling nervous and unable to stay still
22
6.5
Showing very strong excitement and uncontrolled actions
11
5.3
Very noisy and upset because people are angry or worried
10
9.1
Feeling nervous and acting in strange, unpredictable ways
10
8.0
A nervous, excited feeling about something unimportant
6
9.9
Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected
3
7.9
Feeling excited and a little nervous
2
8.9
Feeling excited and nervous while waiting for something
2
8.0
A nervous, confused state when you cannot decide
1
3.1
A strong feeling of joy and energy that makes you unable to sit still
1
8.9
Feeling excited and nervous with your heart beating fast
1
4.9
A short time of nervous confusion that makes you forget things
1
9.5
Feeling very confused and full of strong emotions
1
9.9
Feeling nervous and restless before an important event
1
7.4
Feeling nervous and hurried after something sudden happens
Very nervous and unable to stay still because of worry or excitement
Antonyms
How Agitated
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: the prepositional frame 'in a' marks being in a state and 'tizzy' denotes an agitated or confused state, so the MWE's meaning follows from its parts. Although 'tizzy' is informal and low-frequency, a B1 learner who knows that noun would readily infer the full expression's meaning.
Etymology
In a tizzy may come from a word meaning to twist or spin, so picture someone whose thoughts are turning and who feels all mixed up. That's why in a tizzy means being 'nervous', 'excited', or 'confused'.