high-strung
[hahy-struhng]
- at great tension; highly excitable or nervous; edgy: high-strung nerves; a high-strung person.
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Origin of high-strung
First recorded in 1740–50
Synonyms
See more synonyms for high-strung on Thesaurus.comtense, temperamental; jumpy, edgy, jittery, uptight.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for high-strung
Contemporary Examples
He was “high-strung”—intensely neurotic—yet a charismatic personality nonetheless.
He is high-strung and on edge, and his volatility practically sears the screen.
Historical Examples
We never could get along together at all, because he is so high-strung and overbearing.
The Little ColonelAnnie Fellows Johnston
Though still slight of build I was wiry, high-strung and quick of movement.
The HarborErnest Poole
It was eloquent, vibrating with eloquence, but too high-strung, I think.
Heart of DarknessJoseph Conrad
Starbright was right in saying Dade Morgan was proud and high-strung.
Frank Merriwell's PursuitBurt L. Standish
The high-strung gaiety, the drinking, the overtranking, the relaxation of mores.
MercenaryDallas McCord Reynolds
Word Origin and History for high-strung
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper