English Reference
Idiom idiom

tired and emotional


Drunk.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


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.


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.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    dog who caught the tire

    One who accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat, but does not know what to do next.

  2. 02

    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.

  3. 03

    kick some tires

    To shop for a vehicle or other item to purchase or in which to invest.

  4. 04

    kick the tires

    To inspect something to ensure it meets expected standards or has favored characteristics, typically before committing to purchasing or otherwise selecting it.

  5. 05

    kick the tyres

    Alternative form of kick the tires.

  6. 06

    pump someone's tires

    To praise, encourage, or vigorously support someone.

  7. 07

    sick and tired

    Bored to the point of weariness.

  8. 08

    tire fire

    A disaster; a chaotic person, thing, or situation.

Last updated August 10, 2026