Don’t Get Your Britches in a Bunch

"Don’t get your britches in a bunch" means don’t get upset or overreact. The idiom is common in American English; the Southern/Appalachian flavor comes from the word britches ("pants").

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synonyms: calm down, don’t overreact, don’t get worked up

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I hear 'britches in a bunch' every once in awhile nowadays.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I hear 'britches in a bunch' every once in awhile nowadays.

Pronunciation

[BRITCH-iz]
/ˈbrɪtʃ.ɪz/

Meaning & Usage

- Don’t get upset / overreact (saying/phrase)

Elmer:

They’re five minutes late!

Estel:

Don’t get your britches in a bunch - they’ll be here.

variations: don’t get your britches in a wad, don’t get your panties in a bunch, don’t get your knickers in a twist

★ The word britches is the Southern/Appalachian term for "pants," which gives this otherwise widespread idiom its down-home sound. ★

Origin and Etymology

American colloquialism meaning "don’t get upset." The construction "in a bunch" (or "in a wad/twist") is widespread; pairing it with britches is especially common in Southern and Appalachian speech.

Usage Notes

Often used playfully or gently scolding: "Don’t get your britches in a bunch."
Variants: "in a wad" (very Southern-sounding), "panties in a bunch," and British "knickers in a twist."
Not uniquely Southern as an idiom; the britches form is the Southern/Appalachian flavor.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is this strictly Southern?

No - the idiom is widespread, but "britches" makes the Southern/Appalachian version feel native.

Is "breeches" the same word?

Historically yes, but in Southern/Appalachian speech it’s spelled and pronounced "britches."

Polite or rude?

Usually playful/scolding; "panties in a bunch" can sound ruder than "britches."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 29). Don’t Get Your Britches in a Bunch. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-get-your-britches-in-a-bunch
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Don’t Get Your Britches in a Bunch." HillbillySlang.com, 29 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-get-your-britches-in-a-bunch.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Don’t Get Your Britches in a Bunch." HillbillySlang.com. September 29, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-get-your-britches-in-a-bunch.