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Synonyms

in a lather

Idioms  

  1. Also, in a state. Agitated and anxious, as in Don't get yourself in a lather over this, or She was in a state over the flight cancellation. The first term alludes to the frothy sweat of a horse, the second to an upset state of mind. [Early 1800s] For a synonym, see in a stew.

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.

But the experience left him in a lather, and feeling sorry for DMV employees manning the daily conveyor belt of human misery.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2024

Why do female politicians do so many things that get Donald Trump in a lather?

From Washington Post • Jun. 11, 2020

If high-stakes espionage doesn’t have you in a lather, then consider “The Last Class: A Jazzercize Play” at Chez Bushwick.

From New York Times • Jan. 2, 2017

Seems as if NBC boss Mark Lazarus has a number of NHL players and fans in a lather over his observations regarding playoff grooming.

From Washington Times • Jun. 13, 2015

But he was scowling at the magazine, and I realized it was the photo of Anna May that had him in a lather.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

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.