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Get One's Shorts in a Knot

What Does "Get One's Shorts in a Knot" Mean?

homeidiomsGet One's Shorts in a Knot
"Get one's shorts in a knot" is an English idiom. It means "to become overly anxious, upset, or agitated about something minor, often used informally and with a sense of humor."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "get one's shorts in a knot" used in a sentence:
  • She didn't want to get her shorts in a knot over a small mistake in her presentation.
  • He reminded himself not to get his shorts in a knot about minor inconveniences during the trip.
  • They teased their friend for getting his shorts in a knot over a playful teasing.
meaning for get one's shorts in a knot

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Get One's Shorts in a Knot" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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