PhrasesHub

Stress out

    Definitions

      • experience mental or emotional strain
        Expressing feeling overwhelmed or anxious due to pressure or difficult circumstances

      • cause someone to feel strained or pressured
        Describing the act of putting someone in a situation that causes them to feel overwhelmed or anxious

    Examples of Stress out

    • Sara's exams were so difficult that she completely stress out.

      This usage of the idiom stress out is appropriate when one is describing the extent of stress and anxiety experienced by an individual. In this case, Sara's exams caused her to experience such a high level of stress that it seemed to consume her entirely.

    • After the meeting, the boss asked everyone to stay behind, and we all just sat there, silently stressing out.

      This usage of the idiom stress out is used to convey the feeling of a group of people feeling a lot of pressure or tension at the same time. In this example, after the meeting, the boss asked everyone to stay behind, and it created an awkward and tense atmosphere in the room. Everyone felt the weight of the situation, which caused them to stress out silently.

    • John's presentation went really well, and he's finally starting to relax and de-stress after stressing out for weeks.

      This usage of the idiom stress out is appropriate when one is describing the duration and magnitude of stress and anxiety experienced by an individual. In this particular example, John was stressed out for weeks leading up to his presentation, but after its successful completion, he is finally able to relax and unwind.

    • The news of the pandemic had left Mary feeling completely stressed out and overwhelmed, unsure of what to do next.

      This usage of the idiom stress out is appropriate when one is describing a reaction to an external event. In this example, Mary's sense of being overwhelmed by the news of the pandemic caused her to experience a high level of stress. She felt like she had no control over the situation, which led her to become stressed out.

    • Sarah's final exams had her stressing out to the point of losing sleep and skipping meals.

      In this example, the idiom "stress out" is being used as a phrasal verb to describe the intense mental and physical strain that Sarah is experiencing due to the pressure of her exams. It implies that Sarah is so stressed that she is at risk of becoming overwhelmed or losing control. The use of "stressing out" in the present continuous tense emphasizes the ongoing nature of Sarah's stress, as well as the impact it is having on other aspects of her life, such as her sleep and dietary habits.

    • Charlie's job interview left him completely stressed out, to the point where he forgot his own name during the interview.

      In this example, the idiom "stress out" is being used to describe a severe and intense bout of stress that leaves an individual feeling completely overwhelmed and disoriented. The expression "completely stressed out" suggests that Charlie's stress has reached an extreme level, and he is struggling to cope with it. The use of a humorous example, such as forgetting his own name, highlights the ridiculousness of the situation and serves to lighten the mood.

    • The deadline for the project was approaching, and the team was collectively stressing out because they weren't making enough progress.

      In this example, the idiom "stress out" is being used to describe the collective stress and tension felt by a group of people. The expression "collectively stressing out" suggests that everyone involved is feeling the strain of the situation, and that it is affecting their ability to work productively. This use of the idiom emphasizes the interconnected nature of stress and its impact on a group dynamic.

    • Amanda's boss had been micromanaging her workload to the point where she felt completely stressed out and "walked out" in frustration.

      In this example, the idiom "stress out" is being used to describe a severe and overwhelming level of stress that prompts a person to take extreme action. The expression "completely stressed out" suggests that Amanda's stress has reached a critical point, and that she is struggling to cope. The use of the expression "walked out" emphasizes the seriousness of Amanda's response to her stress, highlighting the fact that it has become unsustainable.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "stress out" can be used to describe both the experience of feeling mentally or emotionally strained, as well as the act of causing someone to feel pressured or overwhelmed. It is often used in casual conversation to express feelings of anxiety or to caution against taking on too much.

    Origin of "Stress out"

    The origin of the idiom "stress out" can be traced back to the late 1960s when the word "stress" began to be used in psychology to describe the mental or emotional strain caused by pressure or difficult circumstances. The addition of "out" likely came from the idea of the stress being pushed or forced out of someone. Over time, the idiom has become a common way to express feelings of overwhelm or anxiety in everyday language. Examples of its usage can be found in popular culture, such as in books, movies, and music, where characters often use the phrase to convey their mental or emotional strain.