Run around like a headless chicken

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Meaning

To rush in frantic chaos, aimless and wild.

Origin

From 20th-century Britain, tied to farms; chickens ran post-behead, slang by 1940s for rush. A 1941 'Punch' uses it for a flap.

Variants

  • Headless chicken

Usage Examples

  • She's running around like a headless chicken; calm down!
  • He ran like a headless chicken before the deadline.
  • Like a headless chicken; no plan here.

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