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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.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #OldTimers   #Southern   #BodyandHealth

Pronunciation

[FIT tuh bee TAHYD]

Meaning & Usage

- Extremely angry or upset (verb phrase, figurative)

At home
Mae:
How’s she takin’ it?

Earl:
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."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does it literally mean being tied up?
No - it’s figurative, just a colorful way of saying "really mad."
Is it still used today?
Yes - though it’s more common in the South/Appalachia than elsewhere.
Can it mean frustrated, not just angry?
Yes - sometimes it’s about being exasperated as much as furious.

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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