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All Bowed Up

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "all bowed up" means puffed up, defensive, or ready to fight. It can also describe traffic, machinery, or chores being jammed up and stopped. The all adds emphasis, making it a colorful, old-timey saying.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern   #FarmTalk

synonyms: puffed up, riled up, jammed up, stuck, seized up
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'
All bowed up' is one of 'em that you'll hear more as you get out into the country. And it's more regional. 

Pronunciation

[AWL BOH-d up] /ɑːl boʊd ʌp/

Meaning & Usage

- Defensive or ready to fight (idiom)

Hazel:
He got all bowed up when I told him to slow down.
Earl:
That boy’s temper is quicker than kindlin’.

- Stopped or jammed (idiom)

Ruby:
Why’s the hay baler sittin’ still?
Clyde:
It’s all bowed up again.
variations: all bow’d up, all bowin’ up
★ "All bowed up" is the emphatic form of bowed up. Southerners often add "all" for flavor, just like "plumb tuckered out" or "slam full." ★

Origin

Drawn from Southern/Appalachian oral tradition of the 20th century. The base form bowed up likely came from the image of animals bowing their backs when riled. Adding "all" turned it into a stronger, more colorful idiom used in everyday country talk.

Notes

  • Distinctly Southern/Appalachian; rarely heard outside the region.
  • Works both for people’s tempers and for machinery/traffic being jammed.
  • "All" is the intensifier that makes it sound especially folksy.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "all bowed up" mean?
It means puffed up, defensive, or ready to fight - or, in another sense, jammed up and stopped.
How is "all bowed up" different from "bowed up"?
"Bowed up" is the base form; adding "all" makes it stronger and more idiomatic, turning it into a colorful saying.
Is "all bowed up" authentic Southern speech?
Yes. It’s a genuine Appalachian and Southern phrase, especially common in rural areas.
Can it apply to things besides people?
Yes - traffic, tractors, and even household chores can be said to be "all bowed up."
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