worried sick

1. Also, worried to death. Extremely anxious, as in Her parents were worried sick when she didn't come home all night, or We've been worried to death about the drop in the stock market. These somewhat hyperbolic phrases (one could conceivably feel ill from worrying but would hardly die from it) date from the second half of the 1800s.

Example Sentences

She said she had been "worried sick" about the whole situation.

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“Okay, that sounds pretty bad. But I’m sure all your family cares about is your safety. They’ve probably been worried sick, and when you get home, they’ll all celebrate.”

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As panic grew, the Bashfords' 12-year-old daughter messaged Chloe's phone again, telling her: "Mum please answer. We're all worried sick!"

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“I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our children online.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Once upon a time, not long ago, Elon Musk was worried sick about climate change.

Read more on Slate

Related Words

• afraid 
• apprehensive 
• careful 
• concerned 
• distressed 
• fearful 
• fidgety 
• jittery 
• nervous 
• restless 
• scared 
• uneasy 
• uptight