panic stations

panic stations

A shared feeling of extreme anxiety, stress, and urgency, especially in the face of a looming deadline. Even though we've been preparing for months, it's still been panic stations in the office as we get the product ready for launch.
See also: panic, station
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˈpanic stations

(British English, informal) a situation in which people feel anxious and there is a lot of confused activity, especially because there is a lot to do in a short period of time: At the moment it’s panic stations in the office because we’re preparing for the president’s visit next week.In the navy, a call to action stations means that each sailor takes the position that they should have when in battle. Panic stations is a humorous comparison with this.
See also: panic, station
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • not know what to do with (oneself)
  • not know what to do with yourself
  • the heat is on
  • strung-out shape
  • panic by
  • panic (one) by (doing something)
  • panic at
  • panic at (something)
  • all guns blazing
  • with (one's) guns blazing
References in periodicals archive
London: England captain Eoin Morgan said that his team is "not at panic stations", after he and Jason Roy left the field with discomfort during the game against West Indies in Southampton on Friday, 14 June.
"If we're in this position with four games left in the season then it probably will be panic stations, but we're hoping that we can have a good run.
Armstrong said: "I came on at 4-1 and it was panic stations for a bit.
With the Wales camp having focused largely on strength and conditioning following brutal training camps in Doha and Switzerland, Warburton believes their rugby skills will improve and is adamant there are no 'panic stations'.
Panic stations as the Dark Lord promised a full investigation.
Defiant Edinburgh supremo Michael Bradley insists there will be no Euro panic stations in his camp.
Master Minded 2.10 Ascot SP forecast 11-8 Has bounced back from a poor reappearance before, so last month's Aintree defeat doesn't exactly call for panic stations and he returns to a track where he's unbeaten in three starts.
MY old club Arsenal went out of a third competition at the weekend when they lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup - but it's not panic stations yet.
Now Malcolm Reid - coordinator of the environmental pressure group Panic Stations - says the old Blyth Power Station site in Cambois, Northumberland would be a perfect choice for the factory.
Tredwell (six for 81) managed to induce near panic stations in Sussex's nervy pursuit of an evidently achievable 161 on another sunny day in the South-east - before they limped home with four sessions to spare.
A long clearance from keeper Chris Neal caused panic stations and as Tris Whitman raced onto the loose ball he was fouled in the box by Andrew Simpson.
In all they've only hit the net five times this season and if it wasn't for the new league structure, where just one club gets relegated in 2004, then it would already be panic stations.
He said: "It's not panic stations at the moment, but obviously we are under pressure with the table.
Whether that starts at Leicester City this weekend, we will have to see, but supporters should not be at panic stations just yet.
I VERY much agree with Mike Davey about his comments concerning a bit of snow causing everything to turn into panic stations (Talkback, December 13).