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Like a chicken with its head cut off

Like a chicken with its head cut off

Meaning

In a frenzied manner.

Examples

He was shouting and swearing because they had lost the contract – he was running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Where did it originate?

USA, late 19th century.

Where is it used?

Worldwide, but not particularly common.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Like a chicken with its head cut off

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