PhrasesHub

beside herself with worry

    Definitions

      • feeling extremely worried or anxious
        Describing someone who is overwhelmed with worry or anxiety about a particular situation or problem

    Examples of beside herself with worry

    • The mother was beside herself with worry when she heard about her daughter's accident.

      The meaning of this idiom states that the mother was extremely anxious and stressed out about her daughter's accident. It implies that the woman seemed so worried and anxious that she was almost beside herself, which is a figurative expression meaning that she was close to losing her composure and going insane.

    • The business owner was beside herself with worry as she faced financial ruin.

      Here, the idiom refers to the woman's intense anxiety as she faced the possibility of financial ruin for her business. The woman's worry was so great that it seemed to almost overtake her, almost as if she was beside herself.

    • The student was beside herself with worry as she awaited the results of her final exam.

      In this example, the expression means that the student was extremely worried and anxious as she waited for her exam results. It implies that the student's worry was so intense that it almost overwhelmed her, as if she was beside herself with anxiety.

    • The traveler was beside herself with worry when she lost her passport while on vacation.

      This phrase in this context signifies that the traveler was extremely worried and anxious when she realized that she had misplaced her passport while on vacation. It suggests that the traveler's worry was so intense that it seemed to almost take over her, making her seem as if she was beside herself with worry.

    • The mother was beside herself with worry when she found out her son had been in a serious accident.

      "Beside herself with worry" in this context means that the mother was extremely worried, to the point where she was almost unable to think clearly or remain composed. The phrase comes from the idea of being so overwhelmed with emotion that one might metaphorically be beside oneself, or outside of oneself, unable to think or act as usual.

    • The CEO was beside herself with worry when she discovered that her company's financial records had been hacked and all the data had been stolen.

      In this instance, "beside herself with worry" underlines the CEO's intense concern and consternation at the news of the data breach. It suggests a deep, almost desperate, anxiety that has taken hold of the CEO, to the point that she is almost unable to think or function normally.

    • The patient's family was beside themselves with worry as they waited for news of their loved one's condition after surgery.

      Here, "beside herself with worry" refers to the family's intense anxiety and concern as they await news about the patient's condition. The phrase emphasizes the degree of their worry, which is so great that it has affected them deeply and left them unable to think or function normally.

    • The student was beside herself with worry as she faced an exam that would determine her future.

      "Beside herself with worry" highlights the student's intense anxiety and concern as she prepares for an exam that will have a significant impact on her future. By using this idiom, we can better understand the degree of her worry, which is so great that it has taken hold of her to the point of almost overwhelming her.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "beside herself with worry" is used to convey the idea that someone is extremely anxious or troubled about something. It suggests that the person is so consumed by their worry that they are almost beside themselves, unable to think clearly or act rationally. This phrase is often used to emphasize the intensity of someone's emotions in a stressful or alarming situation.

    People may use this idiom when they want to express the depth of their concern for a loved one, or when they themselves are feeling overwhelmed by a difficult circumstance. It can also be used to describe someone who is experiencing a high level of stress or anxiety in general.

    Overall, "beside herself with worry" is a vivid and powerful way to communicate the extreme emotional distress that someone is feeling in a given situation.

    Origin of "beside herself with worry"

    The origin of the idiom "beside herself with worry" can be traced back to the early 19th century. The word "beside" in this context means "out of one's normal state or condition," while "herself" refers to the individual experiencing the worry. When combined, the phrase conveys the idea of someone being so consumed by worry that they are almost outside of their own body or normal state of mind.

    The use of "beside herself" in this idiom reflects the idea that excessive worry or anxiety can cause a person to feel as though they are not in control of their emotions or thoughts. It suggests a sense of being overwhelmed or overpowered by one's worries, to the point where one's usual composure or rationality is lost.

    Overall, the idiom "beside herself with worry" captures the intense emotional turmoil that can accompany feelings of extreme anxiety or concern. It paints a vivid picture of someone who is so deeply troubled by a situation that they are almost beside themselves with worry.