a-bundle-of-nerves
/ə ˈbʌn.dəl əv ˈnɜːvz/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
Very nervous or anxious. It describes a person who feels tense and worried, often for a long time. It is usually informal.
- I was a bundle of nerves before the interview.
- She felt like a bundle of nerves on exam day.
- He is always a bundle of nerves before flying.
Adinary Nuance
A-bundle-of-nerves is stronger and more emotional than nervous. It often suggests the feeling is visible or hard to control. Compared with anxious, it sounds more informal and more like everyday speech. Writers use it when they want a vivid picture of stress, not a neutral description.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- rất lo lắng
- Spanish
- un manojo de nervios
- Chinese
- 紧张不安
- Japanese
- ひどく緊張した人
- Korean
- 초조한 사람
Etymology
This idiom comes from the image of nerves being tied together in one tight bundle. It became common in English in the 1800s as a vivid way to describe anxiety.
Common phrases
a bundle of nerves beforelike a bundle of nervesturn into a bundle of nerves
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is a bundle of nerves formal or informal?
- It is informal. It sounds natural in speaking and casual writing, not in formal reports.
- Can I use a bundle of nerves for objects or situations?
- No. It usually describes a person, or sometimes their state before an event.
- What is the difference between a bundle of nerves and nervous?
- Nervous is the general word. A bundle of nerves is more vivid and suggests stronger worry.
- Is a bundle of nerves common in IELTS speaking?
- Yes, it can sound natural in speaking if you describe stress or exam pressure.