work (oneself) up into a lather

work (oneself) up into a lather

To become or make oneself feel very nervous, distressed, or upset. Don't work yourself up into a lather just because you don't think your job interview went well. I told Mom that we'll get there on time, but she's worked herself up into a lather about us leaving behind schedule.

See also: lather, up, work

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

work oneself (up) into a lather

1. tv. to work very hard and sweat very much. (In the way that a horse works up a lather.) Don’t work yourself up into a lather. We don’t need to finish this today.

2. tv. to get excited or angry. (An elaboration of work oneself up to something.) Now, now, don’t work yourself up into a lather.

See also: lather, up, work

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.