get your knickers in a twist

get (one's) knickers in a twist

To become overly upset or emotional over something, especially that which is trivial or unimportant. Ah, don't get your knickers in a twist, I'll have the car back by tomorrow morning! In my opinion, people are getting their knickers in a twist over this election.
See also: get, knickers, twist
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get your knickers in a twist

BRITISH, INFORMAL
If someone gets their knickers in a twist, they become very upset or worried about something. He'll get a nasty shock, but he's not the first one, and he won't be the last, so why get our knickers in a twist? Let's not get our knickers in a twist until we see the outcome of those games. Note: You can also say that someone has their knickers in a twist. So why do these MPs have their knickers in a twist? Note: This expression is often used to show that you think that someone is more upset than is reasonable.
See also: get, knickers, twist
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

get your knickers in a twist

become upset or angry. British informal
This expression was originally used specifically of women, the humorous masculine equivalent being get your Y-fronts in a twist .
1998 Times I'm not as anxious as I was…Most things these days, I'm really not going to get my knickers in a twist about.
See also: get, knickers, twist
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

get/have your ˈknickers in a twist

(British English) (American English get/have your ˈpanties in a knot) (informal) react too strongly to a difficult situation by getting angry, upset, confused, etc: The boss is getting his knickers in a twist about these sales figures. Don’t get your panties in a knot about it! It’s no big deal.
See also: get, have, knickers, twist
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • get (one's) knickers in a twist
  • get/have your knickers in a twist
  • have (one's) knickers in a twist
  • get (one's) knickers in a knot
  • get (one's) panties in a wad
  • get (one's) shorts in a knot
  • get (one's) panties in a bunch
  • get (one's) panties in a knot
  • get (one's) panties in a twist
  • don't get your panties in a bunch
References in periodicals archive
There's plenty of opportunity for listeners join in, with predictions, and the refrain: 'don't get your knickers in a twist'.
Donaldson, Julia and Roberts, David: Jack and the Flum Flum Tree
Don't get your knickers in a twist! Visit the store in Clayton Squaren now.
happening: Guilt-free chocolate
The bombing was henceforth referred to by Londoners as "the incident." Nothing to get your knickers in a twist about, just an "incident." The following night every pub was filled, every restaurant packed, and we found ourselves at place in Chelsea called G-A-Y Club.
Stiff upper lip
DON'T get your knickers in a twist - but the Tories are ahead in the political pants poll.
ELECTION IS PANTS