Definition

1. Noun:
   • A feeling of nervousness or anxiety in the stomach: "collywobbles" informally refers to a queasy, fluttery, or nervous feeling in one's stomach, often due to anxiety or apprehension.
   • (Archaic/Humorous) Stomach pain or upset: The word can also humorously refer to a stomachache or intestinal discomfort, such as from indigestion.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • I always get the collywobbles before giving a big presentation. (I always feel nervous in my stomach before giving a big presentation.)
  • That rich meal gave me a terrible case of the collywobbles. (That rich meal gave me a terrible stomachache.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have/get the collywobbles": to experience a nervous or upset stomach.
  • She had a bad case of the collywobbles on the morning of her wedding. (She was very nervous on the morning of her wedding.)

Variants and Related Words

• Collywobble (n, rare): A single instance of such a feeling or pain.
• Wobble (v): To move unsteadily from side to side. While not directly related, it shares the "wobble" root, contributing to the sense of unsteadiness or queasiness.

Synonyms

• Butterflies (in one's stomach): A feeling of nervousness.
• Jitters: Feelings of extreme nervousness.
• Indigestion: Pain or discomfort in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food.

Related Idioms

• To have butterflies in one's stomach: To feel nervous. This is a more common modern synonym for the feeling described by "collywobbles."
  • He had butterflies in his stomach before the interview. (He was nervous before the interview.)

Noun

1. severe gastroenteritis of unknown etiology; characterized by severe colic and vomiting and diarrhea