chicken little: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, figurative
Quick answer
What does “chicken little” mean?
A person who is excessively fearful or alarmist, constantly warning of impending disaster without sufficient evidence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is excessively fearful or alarmist, constantly warning of impending disaster without sufficient evidence.
A reference to the folk tale character who believes the sky is falling after being hit by an acorn, used to describe anyone prone to panic or spreading baseless fear.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally understood in both varieties. The original folk tale is known in both cultures, though sometimes under the title 'Henny Penny' in the UK.
Connotations
Identical connotations of irrational alarmism.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American political and media commentary, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “chicken little” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a real Chicken Little.Stop [verb-ing] like Chicken Little.The [noun] was dismissed as a Chicken Little.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to criticise colleagues or analysts who constantly predict market crashes or business failures without solid data.
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in political science or media studies discussing rhetoric of fear.
Everyday
Used humorously or critically towards someone who overreacts to minor problems.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chicken little”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'He's very chicken little'). It is a noun phrase. Confusing it with 'chicken' meaning cowardly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly yes. It implies the person's fears are exaggerated and silly. However, it can be used in a gentle, teasing way among friends.
No, it is not standard. Use 'alarmist' instead (e.g., 'alarmist rhetoric', not 'Chicken Little rhetoric').
It comes from a European folk tale, popularised in the 19th century, about a chicken who believes the sky is falling after an acorn hits its head.
Yes. A pessimist generally expects bad outcomes. A Chicken Little specifically spreads panic about an imminent, catastrophic disaster, often based on flimsy evidence.
A person who is excessively fearful or alarmist, constantly warning of impending disaster without sufficient evidence.
Chicken little is usually informal, figurative in register.
Chicken little: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪkɪn ˈlɪtl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪkɪn ˈlɪtl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The sky is falling.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a little chicken running around shouting 'The sky is falling!' after an acorn hits its head. The name itself (Chicken Little) sounds small and panicky.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON WHO IS OVERLY ALARMIST IS A PANICKY BIRD.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of calling someone a 'Chicken Little'?