In a tailspin
adjective phrase
Dangerously out of control: I knew he’d be upset, but he’s gone into a tail spin over this
[1928+; fr the downward spinning of an airplane, for which the term is found by 1917]
Read Also:
- In a tight corner
Also, in a tight spot . See under in a bind
- In a tizzy
adjective phrase Very much upset; distractingly disturbed; in a state: I have been in a tizzy since reading his accusations [1935+; origin unknown] see: in a dither
- Inattention
[in-uh-ten-shuh n] /ˌɪn əˈtɛn ʃən/ noun 1. lack of ; negligence. 2. an act of neglect. n. 1710, from in- (1) “not, opposite of” + attention.
- Inattentive
[in-uh-ten-tiv] /ˌɪn əˈtɛn tɪv/ adjective 1. not ; negligent. /ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪv/ adjective 1. not paying attention; heedless; negligent adj. 1741, from in- (1) “not, opposite of” + attentive. Related: Inattentively; inattentiveness.
- Inattentively
[in-uh-ten-tiv] /ˌɪn əˈtɛn tɪv/ adjective 1. not ; negligent. /ˌɪnəˈtɛntɪv/ adjective 1. not paying attention; heedless; negligent adj. 1741, from in- (1) “not, opposite of” + attentive. Related: Inattentively; inattentiveness.