in a stew

in a stew

Worried and flummoxed about something. Mom is in a stew because she just found out that we're hosting all of our relatives for Christmas—which is three days away.
See also: stew
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*in a stew (about someone or something)

Fig. upset or bothered about someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~.) I'm in such a stew about my dog. She ran away last night. Now, now. Don't get in a stew. She'll be back when she gets hungry.
See also: stew
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

in a stew

Agitated, alarmed, or anxious. For example, Mary was in a stew about how her cake was going to turn out. It is also put as get in or into a stew , as in Every Saturday the minister got in a stew about Sunday's sermon. This expression transfers the mixture of meat and vegetables constituting a stew to overheated mixed emotions. [c. 1800]
See also: stew
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

in a stew

OLD-FASHIONED
If someone is in a stew, they are very worried about something. He's in a bit of a stew over his exams.
See also: stew
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

in a stew

in a state of great anxiety or agitation. informal
See also: stew
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be in a stew
  • stew
  • be in a spin
  • in a stew about (someone or something)
  • get wind of
  • get wind of (something)
  • get wind of something
  • catch wind of (something)
  • What number are you calling from?
  • (you've) got to get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
References in periodicals archive
One of the most important factors for developing superior flavor in a stew is browning.
A few simple steps, and you've got lots of stew
But it worked both ways--we were also in a stew of paranoia, hoping they weren't coming for us.
Half-baked
"All sorts of meat can be used in a stew, beef or lamb for example, and the best sort of vegetables are root veg, things like parsnips, turnips, carrots and onions - the little baby silverskin onions are lovely in a casserole.
WEEKEND: FOOD: Dishes to stew over; A CHEF REVEALS THE SECRETS OF THE PERFECT FOOD FOR WINTER NIGHTS