set one's hair on fire: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USUKWorldwideinformalcolloquial
  • To become extremely agitated, alarmed, or panicked; to react with excessive urgency or excitement.
  • To worry or fret in an exaggerated manner.

  Examples

  Beta

  • When the fire alarm went off, people started setting their hair on fire in panic.

    Cuando sonó la alarma de incendios, la gente comenzó a entrar en pánico exagerado.

  • Don’t set your hair on fire over this minor issue; we still have plenty of time to fix it.

    No te alteres demasiado por este problema menor; todavía tenemos tiempo para solucionarlo.

  • She tends to set her hair on fire whenever deadlines approach, even if there’s no real emergency.

    Ella tiende a ponerse muy nerviosa cuando se acercan las fechas límite, aunque no haya una emergencia real.

• 2.

  USUKWorldwideinformalcolloquial
  • To cause someone to become extremely alarmed, anxious, or agitated; to provoke an over‑blown reaction.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The manager’s harsh criticism set the whole team’s hair on fire, causing unnecessary stress.

    La dura crítica del gerente alteró a todo el equipo, causando estrés innecesario.

  • His careless remarks really set her hair on fire, making her anxious for days.

    Sus comentarios descuidados la alarmaron mucho, haciéndola estar ansiosa durante días.

  • Don’t let the negative headlines set your hair on fire; stay calm and informed instead.

    No dejes que los titulares negativos te alteren demasiado; mantente calmado e informado.