Fit to Be Tied
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "fit to be tied" means extremely angry, upset, or frustrated. It’s a colorful way of saying someone’s mad enough to burst.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I hear 'fit to be tied' sometimes, but I'd consider this more of an old timers thing. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I hear 'fit to be tied' sometimes, but I'd consider this more of an old timers thing. Pronunciation
[FIT tuh bee TAHYD]
Meaning & Usage
- Extremely angry or upset (verb phrase, figurative)
Mae:
How’s she takin’ it?
How’s she takin’ it?
Earl:
She’s fit to be tied, that’s how.
She’s fit to be tied, that’s how.★ "Fit to be tied" is usually exaggeration - folks say it when they’re frustrated or angry enough to fuss, not when they’re truly out of control. ★
Origin and Etymology
Likely from the idea of being so upset you’d need to be tied down to keep from lashing out. Recorded in American English since the 1800s, it became especially common in Southern and Appalachian speech.
Usage Notes
Still alive in Southern/Appalachian talk, especially among older speakers. Outside the region, it’s understood but often sounds old-fashioned or folksy. Related to sayings like mad as a hornet.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "fit t’ be tied." Quick and clipped: "fit t’be tied."
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 6). Fit to Be Tied. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/fit-to-be-tied
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Fit to Be Tied." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/fit-to-be-tied.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Fit to Be Tied." HillbillySlang.com. September 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/fit-to-be-tied.
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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...