Noun
/wˈɜːriˌwɔːrt/
The term worrywart refers to a person who tends to worry excessively or is overly anxious about various aspects of life, often to the point of being irrational. It is commonly used in casual or informal speech to describe someone who is habitually anxious or prone to stress over minor issues. This word is generally more prevalent in spoken language, often used in conversational contexts rather than in formal writing.
The term is frequently used in everyday conversations and informal settings, making it more of an oral expression compared to a formal written one.
My mother is such a worrywart; she panics every time I don't call her back right away.
Моя мама такая тревожная, она паникует каждый раз, когда я не перезваниваю ей сразу.
Don't be a worrywart; everything will turn out fine in the end!
Не будь тревожным; в конце концов всё будет хорошо!
As a worrywart, she often loses sleep over things that are beyond her control.
Как тревожный человек, она часто теряет сон из-за вещей, которые находятся вне её контроля.
The term worrywart may not be widely embedded in many idiomatic expressions, but it does resonate with other phrases related to anxiety and overthinking. Here are a few idioms that may relate in context:
Don't sweat the small stuff: This means not to worry about trivial matters, and it contrasts with being a worrywart.
Не волнуйся о мелочах.
Make a mountain out of a molehill: This alludes to exaggerating a minor issue, comparable to the tendencies of a worrywart.
Раздувать из мухи слона.
Anxiety can be contagious: Reflecting the idea that a worrywart’s anxiety can influence those around them.
Тревога может быть заразной.
Put your mind at ease: This expression means to alleviate someone's worries, which a worrywart might not experience easily.
Успокой свой разум.
Fret over nothing: This captures the essence of worrying about insignificant issues, akin to being a worrywart.
Беспокоиться о пустяках.
The term worrywart originated in the United States in the early 20th century, likely combining "worry," which stems from Old English "wyrgan," meaning "to strangle" or "to cause anxiety," and "wart," which has been used as a slang term for an annoying or bothersome person.