worried sick

worried sick

Very concerned or anxious about a person or situation. The next time you're going to be this late getting home, please call me, because I was worried sick! Your father is worried sick about what this merger will mean for his job.
See also: sick, worry
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

worried sick (about someone or something)

very worried or anxious about someone or something. Oh, thank heavens you are all right. We were worried sick about you!
See also: sick, worry
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

worried sick

Also, worried to death. Extremely anxious, as in Her parents were worried sick when she didn't come home all night, or We've been worried to death about the drop in the stock market. These somewhat hyperbolic phrases (one could conceivably feel ill from worrying but would hardly die from it) date from the second half of the 1800s.
See also: sick, worry
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

worried sick

so anxious as to make yourself ill.
See also: sick, worry
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

be worried ˈsick

,

be sick with ˈworry

be extremely worried: Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you.
See also: sick, worry
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be worried sick
  • (Is) life getting you down?
  • (Are) things getting you down?
  • het
  • tear (one's) hair out
  • tear out (one's) hair
  • tear your hair out
  • be tearing (one's) hair out
  • be tearing your hair out
  • be tied (up) in knots
References in periodicals archive
I love you, I need you, I miss you and I'm worried sick about you.
My mum was fine despite break-up
Unison spokesman Ian Titherington said: "It is a very difficult time for our members, who are worried sick about the changes, but we appreciate the efforts the council are making to avoid compulsory redundancies and a reduction in services."
'Worried sick' at cuts; Unions tell of fears as axe looms
Appealing for help, her mother, Mary, said: "The whole family is worried sick about Tracy.
Fears grow for woman down a ditch; IN BRIEF
"She'll also be losing out on SNA [special needs assistant] hours from September and I'm worried sick about the affect all these unjust cuts are going to have on her."
HSE BULLIES ARE PICKING ON THE MOST VULNERABLE; Fury as ill daughter's medical card slashed
"I was worried sick but really angry at the same time." He angry at the same time." He But Scottish Gas kept contacting him, then in January the account was passed to debt collectors Garry said: "I came home from work to Find they had been at my "The letter they left said they had visited and could not get entry so were applying for a "I was worried sick but really phoned Richburns next morning and explained again that there was no gas meter in the house.
THE GASMAN COMETH (but I'm electric); The Judge Garry chased for fuel bill that he can't possibly owe
THE parents of a woman believed to have fallen down a ditch today said they were "worried sick" and appealed for the public's help to find her.
Parents appeal after ditch fall; MISSING: Concern after Tracy phones and then disappears
"And it is not an exaggeration to say, from meeting these people today, many have been left worried sick, big tough Northern people from Newcastle.
COVERAGE 'CONTRIBUTED TO BANK'S DECLINE'
Jacqueline said: Weve been worried sick. We were told he was at the top of the list in May and after two cancellations he was pencilled in for this month.
OP CANCELLED TWICE-THERE WERE NO BEDS
Yasemin's sister, Shanel, 19, said today she was ''worried sick''.
Drugs pair face jail
A source told the newspaper: "Katie's worried sick. It looks like he'll be in hospital for a while."
Showbiz gossip
One note, found on his bed, said: "Now will you believe I was worried sick?".
Job fears led to
Norman's other son Alan, 33, told the ECHO the rest of the family in Huyton were worried sick.
'He's worried he'll never get to see mum again' GRANDDAD STRANDED IN SPANISH HOSPITAL AFTER HEART ATTACK
"We're worried sick. They could have ended up killing us.
Poison gas attack at beauty salon
There are many people who will be worried sick about their future as they absorb the news this morning.
Age concern
My wife and I are worried sick. What do you suggest?
HELP! You ask me