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be frantic

[/bi ˈfræntɪk/]
verb phrase
estar frenético
1. to be in a state of wild, excited, or anxious activity; to behave in a desperate or frenzied manner
She was frantic when she couldn't find her passport before the flight.
Ela estava frenética quando não conseguia encontrar seu passaporte antes do voo.
2. to be extremely worried, panicked, or distressed
The mother was frantic after her child went missing.
A mãe estava desesperada depois que seu filho desapareceu.
NYC Slang
be going crazy, be losing it, be buggin' out
Synonyms
be panickedbe desperatebe anxiousbe frenziedbe hystericalbe in a frenzy
Antonyms
be calmbe composedbe relaxedbe peacefulbe serene

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
estar frenético/a
most common usage
Rio de Janeiro
estar desesperado/a
emphasis on desperation
São Paulo
estar de cabelo em pé
idiomatic expression, literally 'hair on end'
Portugal
estar frenético/a
same as Brazilian, formal usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

be beside oneself
be climbing the walls
be tearing one's hair out
be in a tizzy
be in a panic
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