ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nellie

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈnɛɫi// nel·lie Archaic

n. a person who is very nervous or worries too much about small things. You usually use it in the phrase 'nervous Nellie' to describe someone who is afraid to take risks.

n. a person perceived as being overly timid, anxious, or cautious. Primarily used in the idiomatic expression 'nervous Nellie' to denote a lack of courage or excessive worry.


SIMPLE

Don't be such a nervous Nellie; the flight will be fine.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager was a bit of a nervous Nellie, constantly checking the security cameras even when the shop was empty.

COMPLEX

While some viewed his constant double-checking as professional diligence, others dismissed him as a nervous Nellie who lacked the confidence to lead the team through a crisis.

Usage

Commonly appears in the fixed idiomatic phrase 'nervous Nellie'.

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