get in(to) a lather

To become very nervous, distressed, or upset. Sam got in a lather because she doesn't think her job interview went well. I told Mom that we'll get there on time, but she still got into a lather about us leaving behind schedule. I'll help you with getting dinner ready for the party, OK? So don't get in a lather about it—everything will be fine.

get into a ˈlather

work yourself into a ˈlather

(British English, informal) get anxious or angry about something, especially when it is not necessary: Look, don’t worry! There’s no point getting yourself into a lather over this!The idiom originally described the heavy sweat that you can see on the coat of a horse that has run very hard as a mass of white bubbles, like lather, the bubbles produced by mixing soap with water.