bundle of nerves: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “bundle of nerves” mean?
A person who is extremely nervous, anxious, or easily agitated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is extremely nervous, anxious, or easily agitated.
A state of high anxiety or tension, often causing physical symptoms like trembling, sweating, or restlessness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; identical usage across both variants.
Connotations
Slightly humorous/affectionate in British English; more straightforward in American English.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American informal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “bundle of nerves” in a Sentence
to be a bundle of nervesto turn into a bundle of nervesto become a bundle of nervesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bundle of nerves” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She bundled her nerves together and stepped onto the stage.
- He's been bundling his nerves all morning.
American English
- She bundled up her nerves and made the call.
- I need to bundle my nerves before the interview.
adverb
British English
- He waited bundle-of-nerves-ly for the results.
American English
- She paced bundle-of-nerves-ly around the room.
adjective
British English
- The bundle-of-nerves candidate couldn't stop fidgeting.
- His bundle-of-nerves demeanor was obvious to everyone.
American English
- She had a bundle-of-nerves vibe during the meeting.
- His bundle-of-nerves attitude made others anxious.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Before the big presentation, he was a bundle of nerves.
Academic
Students are often a bundle of nerves before their viva voce examination.
Everyday
She's been a bundle of nerves all week waiting for her exam results.
Technical
The phrase is not used in technical contexts; clinical terms like 'experiencing acute anxiety' would be preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bundle of nerves”
- Using 'bundle of nerve' (singular) – must be plural.
- Writing 'bundle off nerves' (incorrect preposition).
- Using it to describe objects instead of people.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's exclusively used to describe people or animals in a state of anxiety.
It's informal and colloquial. Use more formal terms like 'extremely anxious' in academic or professional writing.
They're synonyms, but 'nervous wreck' suggests longer-term or more severe anxiety, while 'bundle of nerves' often describes temporary, situational nervousness.
Rarely. It almost always describes negative anxiety, though sometimes with affectionate humor about someone's temporary nervousness.
A person who is extremely nervous, anxious, or easily agitated.
Bundle of nerves: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbʌndl əv ˈnɜːvz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbʌndl əv ˈnɜrvz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wound up tighter than a drum”
- “like a cat on a hot tin roof”
- “having kittens”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine wrapping your jittery nerves into a tight, knotted bundle that you can't untangle.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL STATES ARE PHYSICAL OBJECTS (nerves as a bundled package); ANXIETY IS TENSION (bundled tightly).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'bundle of nerves' typically describe?