wound up
Worked up, tense, or fussing hard about something.
Also called wound-up, all wound up.
Updated September 24, 2026
wound up pronunciation
/WOUND up/
Meaning
Wound up means somebody is keyed tight, like a spring cranked too far. In redneck and Southern talk it often means irritated and about to fuss, not just excited. Daddy gets wound up about the truck. Mama gets wound up about muddy boots. Outside the South the same phrase can mean nervous or hyped. Around here it usually means ready to let loose.
How folks use it
- “Don't get him wound up about politics at supper.”
- “She was so wound up over that late delivery she couldn't sit still.”
Origin and etymology
From winding a spring or clock until it is tight and ready to snap. Figurative English for tense or agitated shows up by the early 1900s. Southern and Appalachian speech leans the meaning toward irritation and fussing energy. Related talk includes worked up and keyed up.
Frequently asked questions
Does wound up always mean angry?
Not always. It can mean excited or nervous too. In Southern talk it often means irritated and fussing.