getting one's knickers in a twist
Becoming needlessly upset
Getting one's knickers in a twist means becoming upset, agitated, or overly worked up about something, usually something that doesn't warrant such a reaction.
The image is of underwear bunched uncomfortably—a minor irritation blown out of proportion.
Chiefly British: Don't get your knickers in a twist over the seating arrangements.
The American equivalent substitutes panties or shorts.
- overreactingDisproportionate emotional response
- making a mountain out of a molehillExaggerating minor issues dramatically
- fussingAnxious, trivial agitation
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- losing one's coolAbandoning emotional composure
making a fuss · complaining · panicking · dramatizing · irritation · exasperation · nitpicking · hot and bothered · in a tizzy · nervousness · catastrophizing · flipping out · flying off the handle · impatience · throwing a tantrum · having a fit · indignation · fretfulness
getting one's knickers in a twistkeeping calm
keeping one's cool · taking it in stride · chilling out · rolling with the punches · going with the flow
getting one's knickers in a twisttaking it in stride
rolling with the punches · letting it go · going with the flow · water off a duck's back · playing it cool