highly strung
Britishadjective
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Aimée Kelly plays the role with a winning blend of caustic humor and narcissistic self-pity: She’s highly strung, manipulative and insecure.
From New York Times • Oct. 27, 2023
Neither rescuer had anticipated that the "highly strung" animal may attempt to flee the large enclosure, which currently held three other kangaroos.
From BBC • Aug. 1, 2018
Norman was put in a large, state-of-the-art enclosure with other kangaroos but was clearly highly strung and by day two was looking for a way out.
From Reuters • Jul. 31, 2018
When a thespian gets nominated for an Academy Award—cue the couture frocks, highly strung stylists, hair-burners, and eyebrow threaders—she climbs into the fashion cannon and somebody lights the fuse.
From Slate • Feb. 28, 2016
But the dog was weak, and highly strung, and suffered a heart attack one bright December morning in the country, leaping from the porch in happy pursuit of a squirrel.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
