phrasal verb · informal
get worked up
UK/ɡet ˌwɜː(r)kt ˈʌp/US/ɡet ˌwɜrkt ˈʌp/get·WORKED·UP
to become upset or overexcited, often more than is necessary
Examples
“Don't get worked up about the small mistakes; it's not the end of the world.”
“She got really worked up when her flight was delayed for hours.”
“In interviews try not to get worked up if you are asked a challenging question.”
Band 8 sentence
“Try not to get worked up about minor criticism; instead use it as feedback to improve your essay.”
Collocations
- get worked up about/over
- become/get worked up
Word family
Common mistakes
I got excited about the exam→I got worked up about the exam
She was worked→She was worked up
Say it for a higher band
5nervous→6upset→7+get worked up
Synonyms
be upset
get agitated
Easily confused
get excited
“The children got excited when they saw the presents.”
be upset
“She was upset about the comment.”
Related words
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In get …
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