headless

be running around like a headless chicken

To be acting with great haste and in a careless or senseless manner. Before I made a list of the things that I needed to finish, I was running around like a headless chicken. We've had so many new projects lately that everyone in the office has been running around like a headless chicken! A: "The deadline is tomorrow?" B: "Yes! That's why I'm running around like a headless chicken!"

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

like a headless chicken

With great haste and in a careless and/or senseless manner. Instead of running around like a headless chicken, make a list of the things you need to finish and then work on them in that order.

See also: chicken, headless, like

run about like a headless chicken

To work or move with great haste and in a careless or senseless manner. Give yourself enough time before deadline so that you aren't running about like a headless chicken at the last minute. Everyone ran about like headless chickens when the servers caught fire, until finally someone thought to cut the power and get a fire extinguisher.

See also: chicken, headless, like, run

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 like a headless chicken

To work, act, or move with great haste and in a careless or senseless manner. Give yourself enough time before deadline so that you aren't running like a headless chicken at the last minute. Everyone ran like headless chickens when the servers caught fire, until finally someone thought to cut the power and get a fire extinguisher.

See also: chicken, headless, like, run

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

be running around like a headless chicken

BRITISH or

be running around like a chicken with its head cut off

mainly AMERICAN

COMMON If you are running around like a headless chicken, you are behaving or moving in an uncontrolled or disorganized way, and not thinking calmly or logically. Instead of running round like a headless chicken, try to use your efforts in a more productive way. They were all running around like chickens with their heads cut off — they didn't know where to go, where to sit, or who to talk to. Note: You can also describe people as being like headless chickens. After the other team scored, we started playing like headless chickens. Note: Chickens have been known to run around for a short time after they have had their heads cut off.

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

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

running (or rushing) about like a headless chicken

acting in a panic-stricken manner and not thinking clearly about what should be done.

A decapitated chicken may continue to flap about for a few moments before finally expiring.

See also: chicken, headless, like, running

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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