tweak out

Meanings

1. 1verbphrasal verbslanginformal

   To become very anxious, agitated or upset, often over something small.

   Grammar: No object; used as tweak out or tweaking out: don't tweak out over a typo.

   Patterns

   • tweak out about something
   • tweak out over something

   I tweaked out when I couldn't find my keys before the interview.

   Don't tweak out; the deadline is next week.

   He was tweaking out about the exam all night.

2. 2verbphrasal verbslanginformal

   To act wildly and restlessly, especially under the effect of stimulant drugs.

   Grammar: No object; a state of agitation: he tweaked out on the street.

   Patterns

   • tweak out on something

   The man was tweaking out and could not stop pacing.

   She said her friend tweaked out after taking pills.

   Doctors saw patients tweaking out in the emergency room.

Word forms

Common combinations

start to tweak out

He started to tweak out when the lights went off.

tweak out over nothing

You always tweak out over nothing.

tweak out about the deadline

She tweaked out about the deadline.

no need to tweak out

There's no need to tweak out.

Synonyms and how they differ

freak out

Freak out is the more common slang and has the same panic sense, while tweak out can add a jittery tone.

panic

Panic is neutral and standard, while tweak out is casual.

lose it

Lose it is a general informal phrase for losing control, not necessarily from nerves.

spaz out

Spaz out is similar in feel but is considered offensive by many people, so tweak out is safer.

Opposites

Word family

tweak verb

to adjust slightly

tweaker noun

slang for a person high on methamphetamine

tweaking noun

agitated behavior from drug use

freak out phrase

a close slang match

Commonly confused: tweak out or tweak?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “tweak out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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