What it means
Means totally stressed and worn out, like your head’s buzzing and you can’t string a thought together. It’s more than just tired, it’s that end-of-the-day, nerves-shot feeling where the smallest problem might tip you over. You’ll hear it about frazzled parents, overworked staff, or anyone juggling too much at once and begging for a cuppa.
Usage examples
"I walked into the office proper frazzled, coffee down my shirt, emails piling up, and Dave asking for one more favour. Needed a cuppa and silence."
"By the time the last meeting wrapped up I was completely frazzled, I could barely string a sentence together."
"She looked frazzled after a day of wrangling three toddlers, hair everywhere and her coffee gone stone cold."
Where it comes from
From frazzle, an old word for fraying or burning to a crisp at the edges. To be frazzled is to feel worn to a frazzle, nerves fried and patience shredded, like a rope that has unravelled or toast left far too long. The harried, run-off-your-feet kind of tired.
Other ways to say it
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