highly-strung

Related to highly-strung: outlined, catchable, scrutinised, overhyped, outmaneuvered, bumped up

highly-strung

Persistently anxious and easily startled or upset. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I've never met anyone so highly-strung. She gasps every time the phone rings.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • highly
  • strung
  • high-strung
  • nervy
  • shaken up
  • linger on
  • on (one's) heels
  • on heels
  • at/on somebody's heels
  • stay after (one) about (something)
References in periodicals archive
Let us now examine the way in which this progression develops, and how the reactions of this "highly-strung girl" are intensified.
Reactions of a "highly-strung girl": psychology and dramatic representation in Angelina W. Grimke's 'Rachel.' (Women's Culture Issue)
There are collars that let off a puff of water vapour or citronella when dogs bark but this may just make a highly-strung dog even more upset.
Dog is barking mad; pets corner
As the day unfolds, Mitch watches aghast as his fellow servers, including highly-strung Naomi (Alanna Ubach), sweet and sensitive Amy (Kaitlin Doubleday), unlucky-in-love Calvin (Robert Patrick Benedict) and nice guy Dean (Justin Long) work themselves into the ground for pitiful tips.
Table service woeful in diner disaster; WAITING * 15
Robert Bates (Ray) camps it up to amusing effect, Joanne Ellis (Connie) seeks to maintain some sort of calm and Mark Nattress turns up as the highly-strung photographer that nobody was expecting.
Lines let seasonal play down; REVIEWS ROUND-UP WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS? Sutton Arts Theatre, Sutton Coldfield
He was a highly-strung individual, who was subject to bouts of depression, timidity and anguish, brought on by the sinfulness of the people, to whom he was called to minister.
THOUGHT for the DAY
They could even overhaul pre-season talking horses Birmingham to claim 16th if they give highly-strung King Kev's lads a right tonking.
Sport on TV
Adrian Scarborough, right, who will be familiar to Gavin & Stacey fans as Peter Sutcliffe, plays the highly-strung, teetotal butler, Mr Pritchard.
THE NEW CAST
Perhaps it is time the Government, Assembly and councils stepped in to set some limited restrictions on what is classified as a family canine and what is just suitable for a more specialised environment (security, police or armed forces), and introduce monitoring when families or youths take up ownership of highly-strung boisterous animals.
Some dogs are not so sociable; VIEWPOINTS
A dark tale of butchery in every sense, it opens in London's Smithfield Market where the highly-strung Jess is trying to catch up with the man she believes to be the love of her life.
Dark butchery COLD TO THE TOUCH. Frances; Book SHELF
In response, a highly-strung Djokovic (left) launched into an attack on Roddick's professionalism.
NOVAK CAN'T TAKE A DJOK
Class-conscious Edith Black lives at No 29 with her stream of artistic lodgers including the handsome actor Fintan Fanning; highly-strung Clare McDonald is at No 25; the eco-friendly vegetarian Saffron McNamara lives at No 21; and Sally O'Neill is housekeeper, confidante and friend for all three.
Review: Read It..
As he is unravelling the mystery of Violet Park, Lucas starts to evaluate his own relationships with the adults around him, his slightly eccentric grandparents, his highly-strung mother and her boyfriend Bob.
WET Weekend: BOOK WORM
A ruthless, charming, ambitious, paranoid, driven, cruel, calculating, political-minded, insecure, witty and devious man, the Sheriff of Nottingham is an intelligent, highly-strung strategist.
Who's who in BBC1's band of 'Hoodies'
Highly-strung mum Adelle Tullian (Maria Bello) travels from New York with her teenage daughter Sarah (Sophie Stuckey) to stay with her husband, James (Sean Bean) in a remote Welsh farm near the sea.
video and dvd reviews: Deep trouble beside the seaside; THE DARK *** 15
Like Gun, they're a big dose of showboating, guitar-based fun but without the highly-strung rock pretensions.
Mailmusic: EL PRESIDENTE Venue, Edinburgh, April 19