worn to a frazzle
worn to a frazzle
Highly agitated and perhaps exhausted due to having endured prolonged stress. I'm just worn to a frazzle after a week with my relatives. I'm so glad that they're leaving tomorrow! Looking after the kids on my own all weekend left me worn to a frazzle. We all felt worn to a frazzle by the end of the three-day seminar.
See also: frazzle, worn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
worn to a frazzle
In a state of nervous exhaustion, as in The very idea of moving again has us worn to a frazzle. This expression transfers frazzle, which means "a frayed edge," to one's feelings. [Late 1800s]
See also: frazzle, worn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
worn to a frazzle
Reduced to a state of nervous exhaustion. The word frazzle here means a frayed edge. It originated in America and also gave rise to to be frazzled (be nervously exhausted). The expression appears in one of Joel Chandler Harris’s Uncle Remus stories (1881): “Brer Fox dun know Brer Rabbit uv ole, en he know dat sorter game done wo’ ter a frazzle.”
See also: frazzle, worn
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- (it's) good to hear your voice
- (something) is over (one's) head
- be more than (something)
- be more than glad, ready, etc.
- be at a disadvantage
- be on the ball
- at a disadvantage
- address comments or remarks to
- address (one's) comments to (someone or something)
- address (one's) remarks to (someone or something)