upset
(verb, adjective, noun)
past tense: upset
LISTEN
"I'm so upset, I could pull my hair out!"
Upset means ‘to disturb.’
- The car accident upset the driver.
- The spicy food upset Ed's stomach.
Upset can also mean ‘distressed.’
- The newlyweds were very upset after their first fight.
An upset is ‘an unexpected defeat of an opponent who is expected to win in politics or sports.’
- An upset occurred when the last-place team won the game.
Common uses
upset the apple cart: Literally, this expression means ‘overturn an apple cart.’ But figuratively, it means ‘disturb the status quo of any situation.’
Did you know?
When upset is used as a verb or adjective, the accent is on the last syllable. When upset is used as a noun, the accent is on the first syllable.
In pop culture
Here is B B King singing “You Upset Me Baby.” Sing along with the chorus: “You upset me baby/Like being hit by a falling tree/Baby, what you do to me?’
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