What it means
Means totally stressed and worn out, like your head’s buzzing and you can’t string a thought together. It’s more than just tired, it’s that end-of-the-day, nerves-shot feeling where the smallest problem might tip you over. You’ll hear it about frazzled parents, overworked staff, or anyone juggling too much at once and begging for a cuppa.
Usage examples
"I walked into the office proper frazzled, coffee down my shirt, emails piling up, and Dave asking for one more favour. Needed a cuppa and silence."
"By the time the last meeting wrapped up I was completely frazzled, I could barely string a sentence together."
"She looked frazzled after a day of wrangling three toddlers, hair everywhere and her coffee gone stone cold."
"Mum's been up since five sorting lunches, emails, and the dog being sick, she's absolutely frazzled."
"After back-to-back calls all afternoon, I was so frazzled I stared at the kettle like it was asking me maths questions."
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Where it comes from
It comes from frazzle, an English verb around since the 1800s meaning to fray, scorch, or wear something down at the edges. Frazzled then slid neatly into people-talk for nerves, patience, and brainpower that feel rubbed thin after too much stress, noise, or nonstop hassle.
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