run like a chicken with its head cut off

run like a chicken with its head cut off

To work, act, or move quickly or frantically and with much activity while trying to accomplish a large number of tasks, perhaps simultaneously. Give yourself enough time before deadlines so that you don't have to be running like a chicken with its head cut off at the last minute. We've had so many new projects lately that everyone in the office has been running like a chicken with its heads cut off!

See also: chicken, cut, head, like, off, run

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

like a chicken with its head cut off, (run about)

Behave distractedly and crazily. This graphic simile apparently is based on barnyard experience: the body of a decapitated chicken sometimes continues to totter about crazily for a time following the dirty deed.

See also: chicken, cut, head, like

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer