Run around Like a Chicken with Its Head Cut Off

What Does "Run around Like a Chicken with Its Head Cut Off" Mean?

"Run around like a chicken with its head cut off" is an English idiom. It means "to behave or act in a frantic, disorganized, or panicked manner, often when faced with a challenging or chaotic situation."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "run around like a chicken with its head cut off" used in a sentence:

• When the fire alarm went off, people started running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to evacuate the building.
• During the final hours before the deadline, the team members ran around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to complete the project.
• Instead of remaining calm and focused during the crisis, the manager began to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, creating confusion among the staff.

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 "Run around Like a Chicken with Its Head Cut Off" 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.

A Quick Test

You now know what "run around like a chicken with its head cut off" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions