run around like a headless chicken

Working quickly and with much activity while trying to accomplish a large number of tasks, perhaps simultaneously. Give yourself enough time before deadline so that you don't have to be running around like a headless chicken at the last minute.

See also: around, chicken, headless, like, run

run around like a ˌheadless ˈchicken

be very busy and active trying to do something, but not very organized, with the result that you do not succeed: What a day! I’ve been running around like a headless chicken all day!

After a chicken’s head is cut off its body may continue to move for a few moments.

See also: around, chicken, headless, like, run

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

All Petrov has ever done is score a goal from 45 yards out against the lowly Derby (no disrespect) and, as for Reo-Coker, all he has done is run around like a headless chicken.

Letter: Your Shout - Why single out Maloney?

I like to treat patients, not run around like a headless chicken trying to find beds.'

Hospital likened to dealing with 7/7 every day

BOBBY WILLIAMSON reckons Kevin Thomson is right - the Hibs starlet DID used to run around like a headless chicken.

Football: I'm a fan of chicken run

I saw that we were as high as third in the current standings the other day, but I'm not going to run around like a headless chicken to get a point.

Greyhounds: Ive no r egr et s o ver Wimbledon decision

``Sometimes I run around like a headless chicken,'' he said.

Football: Headless chicken days are over - Roy

But when it rang again at about midnight registered nurse Mr Connolly - in the words of one care assistant - "started to run around like a headless chicken".

Drunken nurse struck off register

``Too many times he is tarred with the same brush, namely that all he can do is run around like a headless chicken,'' said Bowen.

Football: PASSION PLAY; `Wales star not just a headless chicken'

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