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Run around like a chicken with its head cut off Meaning in English

expression

RUN uh-ROWND like uh CHIK-uhn with its HED kut AWF
run uh-ROWND like uh CHIK-in with its HED kut OF

Definition

To act in a panicked, disorganized, or very busy way, usually because you are overwhelmed or don't know what to do next.

Usage & Nuances

This is a humorous, informal expression often used to describe someone who is very busy but not effective. Commonly used in stressful situations, but not formal writing. Similar idioms: 'running around like crazy', 'all over the place'.

Spanish: andar como gallina sin cabeza - estar como loco(a) (coloq.)Portuguese (BR): correr feito uma galinha sem cabeça - ficar louco(a) (expressão)Portuguese (PT): andar como uma galinha sem cabeça - andar atarefado(a) demais (expressão)Chinese (Simplified): 像无头苍蝇一样乱跑Chinese (Traditional): 像無頭蒼蠅一樣亂跑Hindi: बिना सिर की मुर्गी की तरह दौड़नाArabic: يجري كدجاجة مقطوعة الرأسBengali: এগিয়ে-পেছিয়ে ছোটাছুটি করা (কিছু না বুঝে) - আতঙ্কে অস্থির হওয়াRussian: бегать как курица с отрубленной головой - метаться в паникеJapanese: 右往左往する（何をしていいかわからず慌てる）Vietnamese: chạy tán loạn như gà mắc tóc - cuống cuồng chạy quanhKorean: 앞뒤로 정신없이 뛰어다니다 - 우왕좌왕하다Turkish: başsız tavuk gibi koşuşturmak - panik içinde oradan oraya koşmakUrdu: گھبراہٹ میں اِدھر اُدھر دوڑنا - پریشانی میں ادھر اُدھر بھاگناIndonesian: chạy quanh như gà mất đầu - cuống cuồng chạy đi chạy lại

Example Sentences

When the guests arrived early, Mom ran around like a chicken with its head cut off.

basic

I forgot my homework at home and ran around like a chicken with its head cut off looking for it.

basic

During the fire drill, some kids ran around like chickens with their heads cut off.

basic

Honestly, I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to meet the deadline.

natural

Every Black Friday, shoppers run around like chickens with their heads cut off looking for deals.

natural

Don't run around like a chicken with its head cut off—just focus on one thing at a time.

natural