got one's panties in a wad
Got irrationally agitated
Got one's panties in a wad means to become upset, agitated, or overly worked up about something, usually something minor.
The image is of bunched-up underwear causing discomfort.
The expression is dismissive, implying the person's reaction is disproportionate: Don't get your panties in a wad—it's just a parking ticket.
Variants include panties in a bunch or knickers in a twist.
- making a mountain out of a molehillExaggerating minor issues dramatically
- storm in a teacupDisproportionate fuss over trifles
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- losing one's coolAbandoning emotional composure
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
overreaction · agitation · indignation · hypersensitivity · defensiveness · fluster · annoyance · nitpicking · flying off the handle · having a cow · exasperation · taking umbrage · huffy · impatience · worked up · hissy fit · thin-skinned · miscommunication
got one's panties in a wadkept one's cool
Remained calm despite provocation
stayed calm · rolled with the punches · chilled out · mellowed out