I was worked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was worked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means that someone is feeling agitated, anxious, or stressed about something. Example: "I was worked up all morning before my big presentation, but once it was over, I felt relieved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sometimes, when I was worked up about one of my kids -- a curfew violation, a disappointment with a soccer team, driving lessons, or whatever the drama of the day might be, she would smile gently.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before I knew it, I was working up a sweat and shedding clothing.

The New York Times - Sports

I met my wife, Liz, when I was working up in Cadbury's.

The New Yorker

"When I was working up there I found Karen," Elie says.

The Guardian - Books

… Instead of the fine, self-righteous rage I was working up about what a failure Obama's presidency has been, I'm left mostly with disappointment.

The New York Times

It was January, and I was working up the nerve to take my first dip into Granite Hot Springs Swimming Pool, in the Gros Ventre Mountains south of Jackson, Wyo.

The New York Times - Travel

(No, I really want to know!) This morning I was working up finishing up the 'London address' which will be podcast at the end of my stay up here on this amazing boat.

The Guardian

I was surprised by how much of a sweat I was working up by the time 7 30 p.m. rolled around.

Huffington Post

I'm worked up.

Huffington Post

"But I'm working up to it".

The New York Times

I'm working up to that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific situation that caused you to be "worked up", provide context to enhance clarity and impact. For example, "I was worked up about the upcoming deadline because I knew the consequences of missing it."

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "I was worked up". Instead of saying "I was worked up by the news", consider using an active construction like "The news really worked me up" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was worked up" functions as a descriptive statement expressing a state of emotional arousal or agitation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples show it used to describe feelings of stress or excitement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was worked up" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express feelings of agitation, stress, or excitement. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, suitable for neutral to slightly informal communication. When using this phrase, provide context to clarify the specific cause of your emotional state. Alternatives such as "I was agitated" or "I was stressed out" can be used for similar effect, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was agitated

Replaces "worked up" with a direct synonym "agitated", maintaining a similar level of formality.

I was stressed out

Substitutes "worked up" with the phrasal verb "stressed out", offering a more contemporary and informal tone.

I was anxious

Replaces "worked up" with "anxious", focusing specifically on feelings of worry and unease.

I was upset

Uses "upset" instead of "worked up", broadening the emotional range to include sadness or disappointment.

I was flustered

Replaces "worked up" with "flustered", emphasizing a state of confusion and nervous excitement.

I felt frazzled

Uses "frazzled" to convey a sense of being completely exhausted and overwhelmed.

I was on edge

Indicates a state of heightened alertness and irritability.

I was in a state of agitation

Offers a more formal and descriptive alternative, emphasizing the intensity of the emotional state.

I was all riled up

Employs "riled up", suggesting a feeling of anger and excitement.

I was overwrought

Replaces "worked up" with "overwrought", implying a state of excessive emotion and nervousness.

FAQs

What does "I was worked up" mean?

It means you were feeling agitated, anxious, or stressed about something.

How can I use "I was worked up" in a sentence?

You can say, "I was worked up all morning before my big presentation, but once it was over, I felt relieved".

What can I say instead of "I was worked up"?

You can use alternatives like "I was agitated", "I was stressed out", or "I was anxious" depending on the context.

Is "I was worked up" formal or informal?

It's generally considered to be relatively neutral, suitable for both informal and some formal contexts, although alternatives might be preferred in highly formal writing.