all worked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all worked up" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom and an informal phrase that is used to describe having strong feelings about something, often anger or excitement. For example: "I got all worked up after hearing about the plans for the new school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You have to listen or leave or pick a fight, which gets the rest of the family all worked up.

Huffington Post

Everyone's all worked up.

The New York Times

"What, why are you all worked up?

Independent

By dinnertime, Hannah was all worked up.

The New Yorker

KEVIN KLINE was all worked up.

The New York Times

He gets all worked up when I say that".

The New Yorker

"It gets you all worked up," Mr. Heffron said.

The New York Times - Arts

All worked up and no place to go.

The Guardian

As McEnroe has recounted, "I was getting all worked up and nutty".

The New York Times - Magazine

I have no idea what they were all worked up about.

The New York Times

I was on the Bay Bridge when Ken called, all worked up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all worked up" to convey a sense of heightened emotion, whether it's excitement, anger, or anxiety. Ensure the context makes the specific emotion clear.

Common error

Avoid using "all worked up" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more neutral or sophisticated language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all worked up" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically describing a person's emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a heightened emotional state, often involving excitement, anger, or anxiety. Examples show it describing someone who is agitated or stirred to strong feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all worked up" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a state of heightened emotion, typically anger, excitement, or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While predominantly informal, it can appear in news media, though it should be avoided in formal contexts. Alternative phrases include "agitated", "riled up", and "excited", depending on the specific emotion being conveyed. The phrase's prevalence across various sources underscores its relevance in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked up

A more concise version of the original phrase, suitable in similar contexts.

riled up

Suggests being provoked or stirred to anger or excitement.

agitated

Focuses on a state of restlessness and anxiety, often implying unease rather than anger.

stirred up

Implies that someone or something has caused an increase in excitement or trouble.

keyed up

Suggests a state of heightened anticipation and excitement.

in a frenzy

Describes a state of uncontrolled excitement or agitation.

hyped up

Implies being excessively excited or enthusiastic, often artificially.

on edge

Indicates a state of nervous anticipation or irritability.

stressed out

Indicates a state of emotional strain and tension due to demanding circumstances.

frazzled

Describes a state of being completely exhausted and overwhelmed, often due to stress.

FAQs

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

You can use "all worked up" to describe someone experiencing strong emotions. For example, "She got "all worked up" after hearing the news".

What does it mean to be "all worked up"?

Being "all worked up" means you're in a state of heightened emotion, such as being angry, excited, or anxious.

Is "all worked up" considered formal or informal?

"All worked up" is considered an informal expression. It's more suitable for casual conversations and less appropriate for formal writing.

What are some alternatives to saying "all worked up"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "agitated", "riled up", or "excited" as alternatives to "all worked up".