ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tired and emotional

idiom
Meaning

Drunk.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

First used by the British satirical magazine Private Eye in 1967, in a spoof diplomatic memo to describe the state of cabinet minister George Brown. It is now used as a stock phrase and euphemism to avoid litigation for libel, and the phrase has spread well beyond the magazine.

Examples
SIMPLE

He had too much wine and is now tired and emotional.

CONTEXTUAL

The party went on until dawn, and by the end, several guests were looking a bit tired and emotional.

COMPLEX

After the long wedding reception, the groom was clearly tired and emotional, stumbling over his words as he tried to thank the guests.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    emotional cripple

    A person who has been rendered indecisive, alienated, uncaring, confused, or helpless through experiencing debilitating emotions, such as worry, fear, panic, despair, etc.

  2. 02

    sick and tired

    Bored to the point of weariness.

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