in a lather
Worked up, frantic
In a lather describes a state of agitation, anxiety, or excited worry: Don't get in a lather over something so trivial.
The phrase comes from the frothy sweat that forms on a horse worked hard or a person scrubbing vigorously.
Someone in a lather is worked up, often disproportionately to the situation.
- worked upEmotionally aroused, upset
- frothyFull of foam
- on edgeTense and anxious
- agitatedEmotionally disturbed, restless
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
all worked up · in a tizzy · flustered · frazzled · beside oneself · at wit's end · distressed · foamy · stirred up · wound up · boiling over · fit to burst · overwhelmed · losing one's cool · in a frenzy · excited · soapy · nervous