worried sick

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But if the economic impact is severe, tens of thousands of Brits remain stranded, and the conflict escalates, then there are plenty in government who will be worried sick too.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

The other three are native-born Americans, but she's worried sick every time they leave the house.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

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

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

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

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2025

"We have been worried sick about you!" he said.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

worried sick

Example Sentences

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