English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Bundle of nerves
Meaning
The idiom "bundle of nerves" is used to describe someone who is very tense, anxious or nervous. It's a figurative expression that compares a person's emotional state to a bundle of twigs that are tightly tied together and are easily agitated or upset.
Usage
- Sarah was a bundle of nerves before her big presentation at work.
- The crowd went wild when the performer took the stage, but John was a bundle of nerves the whole time.
- After getting lost on the way to the airport, Jane became a bundle of nerves and started crying.
- The traffic jam made Tom a bundle of nerves and he arrived late for his meeting.
- When she found out her flight had been cancelled, Emily let out a sigh and said "I'm such a bundle of nerves."
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom "bundle of nerves" can be traced back to the 18th century. It was first used in print in an English dictionary published in 1756, which defined it as "a person so agitated and uneasy that they look like a bundle of strings or nerves." The idiom has since become a common expression used to describe someone who is feeling tense or anxious.
Synonyms in English
- Nervous wreck
- Jittery
- On edge
- Anxious
- Tense
Synonyms in other languages
- Italian: "Nervoso"
- Spanish: "Nervioso/a"
- French: "Anxiétique/se"
- German: "Anxios"
- Arabic: "نائب"