Get your knickers in a twist Meaning in English

expression

US

GET yer NIK-urz in uh TWIST

UK

get yaw NIK-uhz in a TWIST

Definition

This British informal expression means to become upset, worried, or angry about something unimportant or minor.

Usage & Nuances

Strictly informal and mainly British; rarely used in American English. Often said as advice: 'Don't get your knickers in a twist.' Similar to 'Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.' Usually refers to reacting too strongly to minor annoyances.

• Spanish: ponerse histérico - alterarse por nada
• Portuguese (BR): ficar nervoso à toa - se estressar sem motivo
• Portuguese (PT): ficar nervoso sem razão - stressar-se à toa
• Chinese (Simplified): 小题大做 - 大惊小怪
• Chinese (Traditional): 小題大做 - 大驚小怪
• Hindi: छोटी बात पर परेशान होना - ज्यादा घबरा जाना
• Arabic: يفقد أعصابه بسبب شيء تافه - ينفعل بلا داعٍ
• Bengali: অতিরিক্ত উত্তেজিত হওয়া - না বিষয়টি বড় মনে করা
• Russian: волноваться по пустякам - устраивать из мухи слона
• Japanese: 些細なことでイライラする - 過剰に反応する
• Vietnamese: làm ầm lên chuyện nhỏ - lo lắng quá mức
• Korean: 별것 아닌 일에 흥분하다 - 사소한 일로 화내다
• Turkish: küçük şeylere takılmak - ufak bir şeye gereksizce sinirlenmek
• Urdu: چھوٹی بات پر ناراض یا فکر مند ہونا
• Indonesian: meribut karena hal sepele - terlalu cemas tentang hal kecil

Example Sentences

Don't get your knickers in a twist. It's just a small mistake.

basic

She got her knickers in a twist when the train was late.

basic

There's no need to get your knickers in a twist over this.

basic

Look, before you get your knickers in a twist, let's check the facts.

natural

Why do you always get your knickers in a twist over nothing?

natural

He got his knickers in a twist about the email, but it was just a typo.

natural