1 C1 idiomatic informal
To become nervous, agitated, or flustered, losing one's calm composure.
"Don't hen up over a little public speaking — just take a deep breath and start."
inseparable
hen up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To become nervous, flustered, or agitated; to lose one's composure.
In plain English
To get nervous and flustered, like a startled hen.
What does "hen up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To behave like a startled hen, flapping about in a panic.
Actually means
To get nervous and flustered, like a startled hen.
Usage tip
Dialectal and dated, mainly found in older American regional speech. Rarely used in contemporary English. Compare with 'het up'. The image is of a hen fluttering and clucking in alarm.
Words that pair with "hen up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
nervous flustered agitated crowd situation
How to conjugate "hen up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hens up
he/she/it
Past simple
hened up
yesterday
Past participle
hened up
have + pp
-ing form
hening up
continuous
Hear "hen up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hen up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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