Ethan
What is the difference between “wound up” and “worked up”?
May 28, 2020 6:04 PM
Answers · 6
“Worked up” also has a positive meaning. Example, I am getting worked up to see my family after so long. Meaning you’re overly excited. Wound up is being upset, mad and anxious.
May 28, 2020
Worked up and wound up are the same for most situations, but you never say a boxer - for example is getting "wound up" for the next fight. We say "worked up" in this situation, because wound up = "getting angry and violent", and the boxer wants to train not to get emotional and angry but focussed. We also say "working out" at the gym.
May 28, 2020
Thank you, Elaine. It is very helpful.
May 28, 2020
In some situations the meaning is the same: He was very upset about losing the game = he was worked up about losing the game. However, there are other meanings for these phrases. He wound up in big trouble = he eventually got in big trouble. The corporation was wound up in 2019 = the corporation was dissolved in 2019. He worked up a big appetite after the 10km run = he became hungry after running 10km. Also, if you go to the doctor in the US, getting a full "work up" could mean getting a thorough check-up with blood samples for lab tests.
May 28, 2020
Thank you for your answer, Ian. It makes them way easier to understand.
May 28, 2020
Show more
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!