upset
upset
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "upset" is /ʌpˈset/.
Here's a breakdown by syllable:
up: /ʌp/ This syllable contains a short "u" sound as in "cup" and a "p" sound.
set: /ˈset/ This syllable contains an "s" sound, a short "e" sound as in "bed", and a "t" sound. The ' symbol before 'set' indicates that this syllable carries the primary stress.
Word Form Variations
upset (verb - present tense): He upsets the balance.
upset (verb - past tense & past participle): The news upset me. / I was upset by the news.
upsetting (present participle/gerund): The upsetting event... / Upsetting her was not my intention.
upsets (verb - third person singular present): She upsets everyone.
upset (adjective): I felt upset. / It was an upset victory (meaning unexpected).
upset (noun): The team suffered an upset. (meaning an unexpected defeat or disturbance).
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: A state of emotional disturbance or distress.
Synonyms: agitation, disquiet, perturbation, unease, anxiety, worry, distress
Antonyms: calm, composure, peace, tranquility, contentment
Definition 2: An unexpected defeat or disruption of a normal or expected state of affairs.
Synonyms: surprise, shock, reversal, upset victory, shake-up, disruption, disorder
Antonyms: expected outcome, predictable result, normalcy, order
Verb:
Definition 1: To make someone emotionally worried or unhappy.
Synonyms: distress, disturb, bother, trouble, agitate, worry, disquiet, perturb, unsettle, unnerve
Antonyms: comfort, soothe, calm, reassure, please, delight
Definition 2: To disrupt or overturn (something established or stable).
Synonyms: disrupt, disturb, unsettle, overthrow, overturn, topple, subvert, destabilize
Antonyms: stabilize, establish, secure, maintain, uphold
Adjective:
Definition 1: Emotionally disturbed or worried.
Synonyms: distressed, worried, anxious, agitated, disturbed, perturbed, uneasy, unsettled, nervous
Antonyms: calm, composed, peaceful, tranquil, contented, happy
Definition 2: (Of a result or event) unexpected and disturbing.
Synonyms: surprising, shocking, unexpected, unforeseen, disturbing, disruptive
Antonyms: expected, predictable, anticipated, normal
Adverb:
While "upset" is not typically used as an adverb, it can be part of adverbial phrases like "he was upset about the situation," where "upset" functions adjectivally, modifying "he." There isn't a direct adverbial form of "upset." You might use adverbs like "distressingly," "worryingly," or "unexpectedly" depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Examples of Use
Noun (Emotional Disturbance):
"She experienced significant upset after losing her job." (General public discourse)
"The therapist helped her process the emotional upset caused by the accident." (Health/Psychology context)
Noun (Unexpected Defeat/Disruption):
"The small college team's victory over the nationally ranked powerhouse was a major upset." (Sports news - e.g., ESPN, various sports websites)
"The sudden change in policy caused considerable upset among the employees." (Business/News context - e.g., The Wall Street Journal, Reuters)
"The political upset in the region led to widespread protests." (News context - e.g., BBC, CNN, Associated Press)
Verb (Making someone emotionally worried):
"The news of the layoffs upset many workers." (General public discourse/News context)
"Don't let such minor setbacks upset you." (Self-help/Motivational context - e.g., books like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
"His rude behavior upset her." (General public discourse/Relationship advice context)
Verb (Disrupting/Overturning):
"The storm upset their travel plans." (General public discourse/Travel context)
"The new regulations upset the established business practices." (Business/Legal context)
"The revolution upset the existing social order." (Historical/Political context - e.g., books on revolutions, historical documentaries)
Adjective (Emotionally Disturbed):
"She was very upset about the argument." (General public discourse)
"He seemed upset and withdrawn after the game." (Sports commentary/Analysis)
"I was quite upset by the way I was treated." (Personal narrative/Testimonial)
Adjective (Unexpected and Disturbing):
"It was an upset victory for the underdog." (Sports news - e.g., Sports Illustrated, various sports websites)
"The upset result of the election surprised everyone." (Political analysis - e.g., The New York Times, various news outlets)
"The upset in the market caused widespread concern among investors." (Financial news - e.g., Financial Times, Bloomberg)
10 Famous Quotes Using Upset
"Don't ever make decisions when you're upset." — Arianna Huffington
"It's okay to be upset. It's not okay to stay upset." — Unknown (often quoted in motivational circles)
"Being upset never solves anything — action does." — Barack Obama (paraphrased from speeches on leadership)
"There’s no shame in being upset. There’s power in knowing why." — Brené Brown
"The most upset people are usually the ones who care the most." — Rupi Kaur
"I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you." — Friedrich Nietzsche
"You don’t have to pretend you’re not upset. You just have to remember you won’t be upset forever." — Lori Gottlieb
"Sometimes the upset is the setup for something greater." — T.D. Jakes
"Never upset someone on the way up — you may meet them again on the way down." — Jimmy Durante
"I’m not upset that things ended. I’m grateful they began." — Unknown (popular on social media and affirmation boards)
Etymology
"Upset" is a compound word, meaning it's formed by combining two separate words: "up" and "set."
"Up" comes from Old English upp, meaning "upwards, aloft." It's a very old word with roots going back to Proto-Germanic and even further. Its basic meaning of "higher" or "in an upward direction" has remained consistent for a long time.
"Set" is a bit more complex. It comes from Old English settan, meaning "to place, put, arrange." This, too, has ancient roots. The core idea of "set" is about fixing something in a particular position.
So, how did these two words combine to mean what "upset" means today? It's a journey through several meanings!
Originally (around the 1400s), "upset" meant "to set up or raise up." Imagine literally setting something upright. This meaning is now obsolete. Think of it like raising a flag or setting a table.
By the 1500s, "upset" began to take on the meaning of "to overturn or capsize." This makes sense if you think of "setting something up" and then it being "upset" – literally turned upside down. This meaning is still used today, especially in the context of boats or containers being upset.
Around the same time (1500s), "upset" also started to be used figuratively to mean "to disturb or trouble mentally or emotionally." This meaning likely developed from the idea of something being physically overturned or thrown into disorder. A disturbed mind is like something that has been "turned upside down" emotionally. This is the most common meaning of "upset" today.
Finally, by the late 1800s, "upset" also came to be used as a noun, meaning "an unexpected defeat or reversal." Think of a team being "upset" in a game – their expected win has been overturned.
So, the etymology of "upset" shows a progression from a literal meaning of "raising up" to meanings related to overturning (physically and figuratively) and finally to our modern understanding of emotional disturbance or unexpected defeat. It's a good example of how word meanings can evolve and change over time!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Upset
Phrases using "upset" directly:
To be upset: This is the most common usage, simply meaning to be emotionally disturbed or unhappy. "She was upset about the news."
To get upset: Similar to "to be upset," but often implies a process of becoming upset. "He gets upset easily."
To upset someone: This means to cause someone to become emotionally disturbed. "His words upset her."
An upset victory/result: This refers to an unexpected and often surprising win, particularly in sports or politics. "The underdog's victory was a major upset."
To cause upset: This means to be the source of emotional disturbance or trouble. "The controversial decision caused widespread upset."
Why "upset" isn't in many idioms:
Idioms tend to be more figurative and colorful, often using metaphors or unexpected combinations of words. "Upset" is already fairly direct in its meaning, so it doesn't lend itself as readily to that kind of figurative language. It's more of a descriptive word than a metaphorical one.
Phrases and idioms with related concepts (using synonyms or conveying similar meanings):
Since direct "upset" idioms are scarce, here are some that capture the feeling of being upset, even if they don't use the word itself:
To be beside oneself (with worry/anger): This idiom expresses extreme emotional agitation, similar to being very upset.
To be in a state: This can refer to a disturbed emotional state. "She was in a state after the accident."
To be shaken: This implies emotional disturbance, often due to a shock or upsetting event.
To be rattled: Similar to "shaken," this suggests being unnerved or disturbed.
To have a chip on one's shoulder: This describes someone who is habitually resentful or aggrieved, often stemming from past upsets.
To be up in arms (about something): This idiom describes strong protest or indignation, often in response to something upsetting.
To fly off the handle: This means to lose one's temper suddenly, often in response to something upsetting.
Original phrases (to illustrate possible usage):
"The constant stream of bad news left her in a perpetual state of upset."
"He tried to hide his upset, but his trembling hands betrayed him."
"The unexpected turn of events threw their plans into complete upset."
While "upset" itself isn't a common ingredient in idioms, exploring related concepts and using the word in descriptive phrases helps to convey the various nuances of its meaning.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of upset from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
