got worked up

USAGE SUMMARY

"got worked up" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone is feeling very emotional or angry about something. For example, "When I heard what happened, I really got worked up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Then he got worked up.

The New York Times

She got worked up about nothing.

The Guardian

When I got worked up, I suspect I began to sound like a flag-waver.

The New Yorker

When was the last time Knick fans got worked up about a game against Indiana?

The New York Times

"You went down on the tracks?" When I said I had, she got worked up.

The New York Times

All right, yes, Evan Davis got worked up about it on Newsnight, and various liberal newspapers deplored it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

He was getting worked up.

The New Yorker

He gets worked up easily.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cummings was getting worked up.

The New Yorker

So why get worked up?

The Guardian

Bugajski was getting worked up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the intensity and nature of the emotion. While "got worked up" can imply anger, it can also suggest excitement or strong enthusiasm, depending on the circumstances.

Common error

While "got worked up" is widely understood, it may sound too informal for academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "became agitated" or "became highly concerned" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got worked up" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase. It describes the process of becoming emotionally aroused, agitated, or excited. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got worked up" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe someone becoming emotionally aroused, whether through excitement, agitation, or anger. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context. Alternatives such as "became agitated" or "became excited" can provide more specific nuances. While generally neutral, avoiding it in highly formal writing is advisable. Its frequency is high in news and media sources, reflecting its widespread use in describing human reactions to events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got riled up

Is a more informal way of saying "got worked up", suggesting excitement or agitation.

became agitated

Focuses on the physical manifestation of being upset or restless, differing in its emphasis on outward behavior rather than internal emotion.

got angry

Is a more direct and less nuanced way of expressing the same general emotion.

became upset

Highlights emotional distress, differing by being a more general term that doesn't necessarily imply anger or agitation.

became furious

Indicates a state of intense anger, differing by specifying a stronger emotion than "worked up".

got stressed out

Focuses on feelings of pressure and anxiety, which is related but not identical to the emotional arousal of "got worked up".

became excited

Shifts the focus to positive arousal, which is different from the negative connotation of "worked up".

lost it

Emphasizes a loss of control, whereas "got worked up" suggests a build-up of emotion without necessarily losing control.

became anxious

Highlights worry and unease, whereas "got worked up" implies more active agitation.

flew into a rage

Implies a sudden and intense outburst of anger, distinguishing itself from the gradual escalation suggested by "got worked up".

FAQs

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

You can use "got worked up" to describe someone becoming agitated, excited, or angry. For example, "He "got worked up" when he heard the news" or "She "got worked up" about the unfair decision".

What's the difference between "got worked up" and "became angry"?

"Got worked up" suggests a build-up of emotion, which may or may not result in anger. "Became angry" is more direct and specifically indicates the emotion of anger. The phrase "became angry" describes only the anger state.

Which is correct, "got worked up" or "get worked up"?

Both are correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Got worked up" is past tense, while "get worked up" is present tense. For example, "I often "get worked up" about politics", versus "I "got worked up" during the debate".

What are some alternatives to "got worked up" that still convey excitement or agitation?

Alternatives include "became agitated", "became excited", or "got riled up". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.