run around like a chicken with its head cut off
Frantic without direction
To run around like a chicken with its head cut off is to act in a frantic, disorganized manner—busy but accomplishing nothing.
The image comes from the fact that a decapitated chicken may continue moving erratically for a short time.
I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get ready for the party.
- aimlessnessLack of direction
- all over the placeScattered without order
- disorganizationAbsence of systematic arrangement
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- losing one's headBecoming wildly irrational
anxiety · flailing · overwhelm · hysteria · rushing · mad dash · headless · scrambling · spinning plates · stress · darting about · confusion · agitation · hot mess · fearfulness · traffic jams · emergency response · fire drill
run around like a chicken with its head cut offcalm and collected
Emotionally steady, unflustered
keep one's cool · cool as a cucumber · composed · unflappable · poised
run around like a chicken with its head cut offmethodical
Organized and deliberate
deliberate · systematic · focused · purposeful · organized