Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a state of extreme frustration or stress. It implies feeling overwhelmed or exasperated to the point where one figuratively wants to pull their own hair out in frustration.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I’ve been trying to figure out this problem for hours; I’m pulling my hair out!”
- “With the deadline approaching and so much work left to do, I feel like I’m pulling my hair out.”
- “Dealing with the constant noise from the construction next door has me pulling my hair out.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “pulling your hair out” is unclear, but it likely originates from the idea of a person experiencing such intense frustration that they resort to physically pulling their hair as a manifestation of their distress. However, the phrase is used figuratively to express mental or emotional anguish rather than literal hair-pulling. Over time, the idiom has become a common way to describe feelings of exasperation or stress in everyday language.