worked up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: * In a state of emotional agitation or excitement. It describes a person who has become overly excited, anxious, or upset, often to the point of being unable to remain calm.
Usage
The adjective "worked up" is used to describe a person's temporary emotional state. It is typically used after a linking verb like be, get, or become. It often implies that the agitation is unnecessary, excessive, or has been built up over a period.
Examples
- After the argument, she was too worked up to sleep. (Her emotional agitation prevented sleep.)
- There's no need to get worked up over a small mistake. (Do not become unnecessarily upset.)
- He gets worked up every time he watches the news. (He regularly becomes agitated.)
- The crowd was worked up by the speaker's passionate speech. (The crowd became excited and emotional.)
Advanced Usage
- "Worked up about/over something": This is the most common construction, specifying the cause of the agitation.
- She's all worked up about the upcoming exam.
- Don't get worked up over things you can't control.
Variants and Related Words
- Work up (phrasal verb): To gradually develop or stir up a feeling, appetite, or state.
- He went for a run to work up an appetite.
- The politician tried to work up support for his campaign.
Synonyms
- Agitated
- Excited
- Keyed up
- Overwrought
- Upset
Antonyms
- Calm
- Composed
- Placid
- Unruffled
Related Phrases
- In a state: A general phrase for being agitated or upset.
- She was in a real state after hearing the news.
- Hot and bothered: Informal idiom meaning flustered and agitated.
- He got all hot and bothered when he couldn't find his keys.
Adjective
- (of persons) excessively affected by emotion
- he would become emotional over nothing at all
- she was worked up about all the noise