fuss

a fuss about nothing

An inordinate amount of stress, concern, frustration, or anger over something that is not actually very important. The senator claimed the outrage over the supposed scandal was all a fuss about nothing. Because I was injured on set, I had to be taken to the emergency room, even though it was just a dislocated thumb. It was a lot of fuss about nothing, but we had to follow company policy.
See also: fuss, nothing

a fuss over nothing

An inordinate amount of stress, concern, frustration, or anger over something that is not actually very important. The senator claimed the outrage over the supposed scandal was all a fuss over nothing. Because I was injured on set, I had to be taken to the emergency room, even though it was just a dislocated thumb. It was a lot of fuss over nothing, but we had to follow company policy.
See also: fuss, nothing, over

be not fussed (about someone or something)

To not have strong feelings, either positive or negative, about someone or something. A: "Do you still want to try and go to the match tomorrow?" B: "I'm not fussed, to be honest. It would be nice to spend the day with you." A: "Would you like beef or chicken for dinner?" B: "You decide. I'm not fussed about either one."
See also: fuss, not, someone

fuss (around) with (something)

To continually fiddle with something, often nervously and unnecessarily. Stop fussing with your hair, honey—it looks great. After I'm done a painting, I don't like to fuss around with it.
See also: fuss

fuss about

1. To complain or gripe about someone or something. Quit fussing about your ex-boyfriend—you guys broke up over a year ago. She hates the cold weather, so she'll be fussing about it until spring.
2. To do something in a hasty or energetic manner. Mom wasn't expecting us, so she fussed about and prepared some snacks as we settled down in the living room.
See also: fuss

fuss and feathers

Unnecessary embellishments or pomp. Oh please, don't throw me a dinner party—who needs that kind of fuss and feathers?
See also: and, feather, fuss

fuss around

To do something in a hasty or energetic manner. Mom wasn't expecting us, so she fussed around and prepared some snacks as we settled down in the living room.
See also: around, fuss

fuss at (one)

To nag or gripe at one. Would you quit fussing at me? I'm not changing my outfit. If you keep fussing at the kids like that, they're going to start distancing themselves from you.
See also: fuss

fuss over (someone or something)

To give someone or something an inordinate amount of attention, affection, or praise. I can't stand the way everyone fusses over her whenever she walks into the room. I think it's a bit bizarre that so many people are fussing over a new smartphone. It's just another piece of technology!
See also: fuss, over

fussbudget

informal One who tends to be fussy or particular, usually to an excessive or unnecessary degree. Primarily heard in US. Don't be such a fussbudget, huh? This really isn't a big deal. Of course Vanessa found some miniscule issue that no one else would have noticed. She's such a fussbudget.

fusspot

informal One who tends to be fussy or particular, usually to an excessive or unnecessary degree. Primarily heard in UK. Don't be such a fusspot, huh? This really isn't a big deal. Of course Vanessa found some miniscule issue that no one else would have noticed. She's such a fusspot.

kick up a fuss

To be a nuisance or cause a disturbance by complaining, arguing, etc. At most big box stores, if you kick up a fuss about a product that didn't meet your expectations, you'll almost definitely get a refund.
See also: fuss, kick, up

land so poor you couldn't raise a fuss on it

old-fashioned Land with extremely infertile soil incapable of any agricultural activity. Primarily heard in US. After years of drought and improper crop rotation, the land here is so poor you couldn't raise a fuss on it. All my father left behind for us was land so poor you couldn't raise a fuss on it.
See also: fuss, land, on, poor, raise

make a fuss

To be a nuisance or cause a disturbance by complaining, arguing, etc. (about something). At most big box stores, if you make a fuss about a product that didn't meet your expectations, you'll almost definitely get a refund. Sir, we have politely asked you to leave—please don't make a fuss.
See also: fuss, make

make a fuss about (someone or something)

To have an excessive reaction to someone or something. I don't know why you're making a fuss about this situation—it won't have any impact on our bottom line. Everyone's been making a fuss about the famous Hollywood actor who's in town, but I just don't get it.
See also: fuss, make

make a fuss of (someone or something)

To give someone or something an inordinate amount of attention, affection, or praise. I can't stand the way everyone makes a fuss of her whenever she walks into the room. I think it's a bit bizarre that so many people are making such a fuss of a new phone. How much different could it be?
See also: fuss, make, of

make a fuss over (someone or something)

To give someone or something an inordinate amount of attention, affection, or praise. I can't stand the way everyone makes a fuss over her whenever she walks into the room. I think it's a bit bizarre that so many people are making such a fuss over a new phone. How much different could it be?
See also: fuss, make, over
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fuss about

 and fuss around
to go about complaining; to move about in a busy manner. Don't fuss about so much. Things will take care of themselves. Now, stop fussing around and sit down.
See also: fuss

fuss about someone or something

to complain about someone or something. What are you fussing about now? Are you still fussing about Tony?
See also: fuss

fuss and feathers

Rur. fancy addictions that are overdone or troublesome. A truly elegant dress doesn't have a lot of fuss and feathers. They ruined a nice room with all that fuss and feathers.
See also: and, feather, fuss

fuss (around) with someone or something

to keep bothering with someone or something; to fiddle with someone or something. Don't fuss around with it. We'll have to get a new one. Don't fuss with your children. They will get along just fine without all that attention.
See also: fuss

fuss at someone or something

to complain at someone. Stop fussing at me! The squirrel is fussing at the dog.
See also: fuss

fuss over someone or something

to go to a lot of bother about someone or something. My aunt always fusses over me and my sister. You spend a lot of time fussing over your hair.
See also: fuss, over

kick up a fuss

 and kick up a row; kick up a storm
Fig. to become a nuisance; to misbehave and disturb (someone). (Row rhymes with cow. Note the variations in the examples.) The customer kicked up such a fuss about the food that the manager came to apologize. I kicked up such a row that they told me to leave. Oh, what pain! My arthritis is kicking up a storm.
See also: fuss, kick, up

land so poor it wouldn't even raise a fuss

 and land too poor to raise a racket on
Rur. land where nothing will grow. I inherited two hundred acres from my uncle, but it's land so poor it wouldn't even raise a fuss. The soil's exhausted. That land is so poor it wouldn't even raise a fuss. Jill can grow a garden anywhere, even on land too poor to raise a racket on.
See also: even, fuss, land, poor, raise

make a fuss

 (over someone or something)
1. to worry about or make a bother about someone or something. Why do you make a fuss over a problem like that? Please don't make a fuss. Everything will be all right.
2. to be very solicitous and helpful toward a person or a pet. How can anyone make a fuss over a cat? Billy was embarrassed when his mother made a fuss over him.
3. to argue about someone or something. Please don't make a fuss over who gets the last cookie. Please discuss it. Don't make a fuss over it!
See also: fuss, make
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

fuss and feathers

Needless commotion and display, as in There was so much fuss and feathers over the award ceremony that I decided not to attend . This expression probably survives because of its appealing alliteration. [Mid-1800s]
See also: and, feather, fuss

kick up a fuss

Also, kick up a row or storm . Create a disturbance; start a fight. For example, The soup was cold, and Aunt Mary began to kick up a fuss, calling for the manager, or There's no need to kick up a row; the boys will leave quietly, or If they fire him, Carl is ready to kick up a storm. These expressions all employ kick up in the sense of "raise dust or dirt," a usage dating from the mid-1700s.
See also: fuss, kick, up

make a fuss

1. Cause a needless commotion or display, as in I'm sure he'll be here soon; please don't make a fuss. It is also often put as make a fuss about or over , as in He's making a fuss about nothing, or If you make a fuss over the small budget items, what will it be like when we discuss the big ones? The idiom dates from about 1800, although the use of fuss in this sense is a century older.
2. make a fuss over someone. Treat someone with excessive attention, solicitude, or affection, as in Whenever they visit Grandma she makes a fuss over the children. [1920s]
See also: fuss, make
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

kick up a fuss (or a stink)

register strong disapproval; object loudly to something. informal
See also: fuss, kick, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a ˌfuss about ˈnothing

a lot of anger or worry about something that is not important: She complained about her food twice in the restaurant. She was making a lot of fuss about nothing — I thought everything was fine.
See also: fuss, nothing

make a ˈfuss of/over somebody/something

pay a lot of attention to somebody/something; show concern, affection, etc. for somebody/something: It’s sometimes quite pleasant being ill, with people making a fuss of you all the time.
See also: fuss, make, of, over, somebody, something

not be ˈfussed (about somebody/something)

(British English, informal) not mind about something; not have feelings about something: It’d be good to go there, but I’m not that fussed.
See also: fuss, not

kick up a ˈfuss, ˈrow, etc.

(informal) complain very noisily and loudly about something: He kicked up a real fuss about the slow service in the restaurant. Every time her newspaper arrives late, she kicks up a fuss.
See also: kick, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

fuss over

v.
To handle or deal with something or someone in an overly attentive or nervous way: Don't fuss over every detail—just get the main idea across for now. The grandparents fussed over their new grandchild.
See also: fuss, over

fuss with

v.
To handle or manipulate something excessively and unnecessarily, especially when overly concerned or nervous: The contestants fussed with their outfits before the pageant began.
See also: fuss
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a fuss about nothing
  • a fuss over nothing
  • make a fuss of/over somebody/something
  • make a fuss over (someone or something)
  • fall over (oneself) to (do something)
  • fall over oneself
  • fall over yourself
  • fall over yourself to do something
  • make a fuss of (someone or something)
  • fall all over oneself
References in periodicals archive
Fuss entered Stanford University at the age of 16 and graduated three years later.
Iconic CBS Radio News Correspondent Dies At 64
Fuss silently mouthed along to the lyrics at first, before breaking into her singing voice, with a smile on her face.
Still lively at 105
For more information about Wirral FUSS, visit www.wirralfuss@ymail.com.
PAIN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS; Families turn to clothing handouts
Fuss's long-standing investigation of photography's earliest means--returns to cameraless procedures in an increasingly camera-less moment--continues in his work with daguerreotypes.
Adam Fuss
On the right to reparation for a worker who has completed a period of average weekly working time exceeding the 48-hour limit, the court held that Fuss is entitled to rely directly before the national courts on such provisions.
WORKING TIME : RIGHTS GUARANTEED EVEN IN ABSENCE OF TRANSPOSITION
Maharashtra, India 3" wide ex-collection Sandor Fuss
Wilensky fine minerals
Easy: The home in West Farm Wynd, Longbenton, is ideal for people wanting little fuss.
Newly-built terrace for stress-free living
The courts want businesses to get on top of this problem by developing comprehensive policies designed to store, catalog and preserve electronic records so that they can produce reliable evidence on demand with a minimum of fuss and bother.
Data duty: federal courts insist companies police their recordkeeping
In July 2003 former HHC ISG Glen Simpson posed for the photograph the sculpture is based upon, said division CSM Chuck Fuss.
Remembering the fallen
Recognize that some things are not worth making a fuss over, while other things merit all the fuss you can muster.
How to teach more effectively
Want the benefits of LCD projectors and digital whiteboards without having to fuss with image size and focus, messy cables, and noisy fans?
Multiple needs/single solution. (What's new ... in presentation systems & products)
Don't you think that Bush's CFR advisors know this, so they do not have to raise a fuss?
The ICC threat. (Letters to the Editor)
Now the cartoon duo are creating a fuss in the States, thanks to "Be As," which features the chorus "Be as straight as you want to / Be as gay as you want to."
Cartoon closet busters. (the Buzz)
The description of Havel's birth, for example, finds ominous portents in an old family movie ("inexpertly shot," the book jabs) in which parents and relatives fuss over the baby so much as to give the impression of "a child whose early months were not only coddled but crowned." Keane seems unaware that it is standard for parents to fuss over babies in lavish fashion.
VACLAV HAVEL: A Political Tragedy in Six Acts