like a chicken with its head cut off, (run about)
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.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer