fuss
/fʌs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A state of nervous or excited activity, often over something unimportant: "Fuss" can refer to unnecessary excitement, worry, or commotion about minor matters.
- A display of concern or anxiety: It also describes a show of excessive or agitated attention.
- A minor argument or complaint: "Fuss" can mean a quarrel or protest about trivial points.
Verb:
- To act or behave in a nervous, restless, or anxious way: The basic meaning is to show unnecessary concern or excitement.
- To pay excessive attention to small details: "Fuss" also means to handle something with more care or worry than is needed.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- There was a lot of fuss over the new office chairs. (There was a lot of unnecessary commotion about the new office chairs.)
- She made a fuss when her order was wrong. (She complained loudly when her order was wrong.)
Verb:
- Stop fussing and sit down; the train will arrive soon. (Stop worrying nervously and sit down; the train will arrive soon.)
- He always fusses over his appearance before a meeting. (He always pays excessive attention to his appearance before a meeting.)
Advanced Usage
"to make a fuss": to complain or become upset about something.
- The customer made a fuss until he received a refund. (The customer complained loudly until he received a refund.)
"to make a fuss of/over someone": to give someone a lot of attention and affection.
- Grandma always makes a fuss over the grandchildren. (Grandma always gives the grandchildren a lot of affectionate attention.)
"to kick up a fuss": to cause a disturbance or loud complaint.
- They kicked up a fuss when the concert was canceled. (They caused a loud disturbance when the concert was canceled.)
Variants and Related Words
Fussy (adj): overly concerned with details; hard to please.
- He's a very fussy eater. (He is very particular and hard to please about food.)
Fussbudget (n, informal): a person who is fussy about small, unimportant details.
- My uncle is a real fussbudget about keeping his car clean. (My uncle is very fussy about keeping his car clean.)
Synonyms
- Commotion: a state of confused and noisy disturbance.
- Ado: trouble or difficulty, often unnecessary.
- Bother: effort, worry, or minor trouble.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Fuss over: to give someone or something excessive attention or care.
- She loves to fuss over her garden. (She loves to give her garden a lot of detailed attention.)
Related Idioms
Much ado about nothing: a lot of excitement or worry over something unimportant (similar in meaning to making a fuss).
- The argument was much ado about nothing. (The argument was a lot of fuss over something trivial.)
Don't make a federal case out of it!: Don't exaggerate the importance of a minor issue (similar to telling someone not to make a fuss).
- It's just a small scratch on the car; don't make a federal case out of it! (It's just a small scratch; don't make a big fuss about it!)
Noun
- a rapid active commotion
- a quarrel about petty points
- an angry disturbance
- he didn't want to make a fuss
- they had labor trouble
- a spot of bother
- an excited state of agitation
- he was in a dither
- there was a terrible flap about the theft
Verb
- care for like a mother
- She fusses over her husband
- worry unnecessarily or excessively
- don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now