highly strung

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highly strung

She is highly strung before the big presentation.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Easily upset or agitated; very nervous and sensitive: Describes a person who is tense, anxious, or reacts strongly to stress or stimulation.
    • Having a very sensitive or excitable temperament: Refers to a personality that is finely tuned and prone to nervous tension.
Usage
  • This adjective is used to describe a person's temperament or emotional state. It often implies a permanent or inherent character trait rather than a temporary condition.
  • It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become').
Examples

  • Attributive use (before a noun):

    • She is a highly strung individual who finds loud noises unbearable.
    • The highly strung racehorse needed a calm and experienced jockey.

  • Predicative use (after a linking verb):

    • Don't shout; he's very highly strung and might get upset.
    • The entire team became highly strung before the championship final.
Advanced Usage
  • The term can be used metaphorically to describe things that are under great tension or strain, similar to a tightly wound string.
    • The political situation in the region is highly strung, with the potential for conflict at any moment.
Variants and Related Words
  • High-strung (adj): An alternative spelling, especially in American English, with the same meaning.
    • He has a high-strung personality that makes him an intense perfectionist.
Synonyms
  • Nervous: Easily agitated or alarmed.
  • Tense: Unable to relax because of nervousness or stress.
  • Edgy: Nervous, irritable, or anxious.
  • Jittery: Nervous or unable to relax.
  • Uptight: Anxious or angry in a tense and overly controlled way.
Antonyms
  • Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
  • Relaxed: Free from tension and anxiety.
  • Easygoing: Relaxed and tolerant in attitude or manner.
  • Placid: Not easily upset or excited.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • To be on edge: To be nervous, anxious, or irritable.
    • The constant pressure had everyone on edge.
  • To have nerves of steel: To be very brave and not easily frightened or upset.
    • As a bomb disposal expert, she needed nerves of steel. (This is an antonymic concept.)
highly strung

She is highly strung before the big presentation.

Adjective
  1. being in a tense state

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