strung out
Meaning
To be extremely exhausted, tense, or agitated, often due to prolonged stress, lack of sleep, or the effects of drug use.
Origin
The phrase "strung out" emerged in the mid-20th century, capturing the intense physical and psychological toll of extreme stress or drug use. It vividly evokes the image of a person's nerves or very being stretched taut, much like a guitar string pulled to its breaking point, leaving them frayed, tense, and on the verge of snapping. While initially prevalent in discussions of drug-induced exhaustion and agitation, its powerful imagery quickly broadened to describe any state of severe fatigue, nervous strain, or being stretched to one's absolute limit, becoming a punchy shorthand for being utterly overwhelmed.
Examples
- After three all-nighters finishing the project, the student was completely strung out and barely coherent.
- The constant pressure from his boss left him feeling strung out and unable to relax even on weekends.