uptight

English

Pronunciation

• enPR: ŭp-tīt', IPA: /ʌpˈtaɪt/, X-SAMPA: /Vp"taIt/

  Rhymes: -aɪt

Adjective

uptight (comparative more uptight, superlative most uptight)

1. (colloquial) Excessively concerned with rules and order.

   Don't be so uptight! You won't go to jail for crossing the street against the light.

2. (colloquial) Sexually repressed.

   He came from a very uptight religious background, but you wouldn't know that now!

3. (colloquial) Unfriendly and rude.
   • 1987, Withnail and I:

     Withnail: Just because the best tailoring you’ve ever seen is above your fucking appendix doesn’t mean anything.

     Danny: Don’t get uptight with me, man.

See also

• anal retentive