highly strung

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly strung" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is easily stressed or agitated. For example: "My grandmother is a highly strung individual, so I try to avoid saying anything that might upset her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Highly strung family?

The Guardian

They are certainly highly strung.

The Guardian

Not that he has ever been particularly highly strung.

The Guardian

It's hard to perform well when you are highly strung.

The Guardian - Sport

She seems highly strung, surprisingly jumpy and vulnerable.

The Guardian - Film

He has his own distinctive personality and he's highly strung.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"They're like highly-strung teenagers".

Independent

Leigh was tempestuous and highly-strung.

The Guardian - Books

I feel a lot less highly-strung, and at peace.

Independent

Mercurial and highly-strung – mannerisms that appeared to be those of a temperamental artist – Fischer dithered.

The Guardian - Film

His own insecurities also helped him tackle the part of the highly-strung George VI.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "highly strung", provide context to illustrate the situations or triggers that lead to their heightened emotional state. This adds depth and understanding to your characterization.

Common error

Avoid using "highly strung" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "anxious", "nervous", or "on edge" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly strung" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, typically a person or animal, to describe their temperament as nervous, tense, or easily agitated. Ludwig provides numerous examples that support its adjectival role in describing personality and behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Film

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly strung" is a commonly used adjective phrase used to describe someone easily stressed or agitated. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and its high frequency across diverse sources indicates broad acceptance. The phrase is generally considered appropriate for neutral to informal contexts. While there are some similar alternative phrases like ""easily agitated"" or ""very nervous"", be mindful not to overuse the phrase and consider the specific context for optimal impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high-strung

A very close synonym, using a slightly different capitalization and hyphenation style.

very nervous

Emphasizes a state of anxiety and apprehension. This phrase directly indicates a high level of nervousness.

anxious

Directly describes a state of worry and unease about potential events or outcomes.

easily agitated

Focuses on the ease with which someone becomes upset or disturbed. It highlights the reactive nature of the person's temperament.

on edge

Suggests a state of being alert and anxious, anticipating something might go wrong. This focuses on the anticipation of potential issues.

tense

Describes a state of being tightly wound and under pressure, highlighting physical or emotional strain.

uptight

Implies a rigid and inflexible demeanor, often due to anxiety or stress. This adds a layer of inflexibility.

excitable

Focuses on the tendency to become easily enthusiastic or agitated. It emphasizes the responsive and reactive nature.

jumpy

Indicates a state of being easily startled or frightened. This emphasizes the startle response.

frazzled

Suggests being completely exhausted and overwhelmed due to stress and anxiety. The phrase conveys a sense of weariness.

FAQs

How can I use "highly strung" in a sentence?

You can use "highly strung" to describe a person, animal, or even a situation. For example, "The racehorse was "very nervous" and "highly strung" before the race", or "She's a "very nervous" and "highly strung" individual, so try to be gentle with her".

What's a less common synonym for "highly strung"?

While common alternatives include "nervous" and "anxious", a less frequently used synonym is "frazzled", which implies a state of being completely overwhelmed and exhausted due to stress.

Is it appropriate to use "highly strung" in formal writing?

While "highly strung" is widely understood, it might be perceived as less formal. In professional or academic contexts, consider using alternatives like "easily agitated" or "very nervous" to maintain a more serious tone.

What are some common characteristics of a "highly strung" person?

A "highly strung" person often displays characteristics such as restlessness, irritability, a low tolerance for stress, and a tendency to overreact to minor inconveniences. They may also be "tense" and "anxious" in social situations.