Talk about emotional distress and its cause.

The idea

Upset describes feeling unhappy, worried or angry. Use upset about or upset by for a cause, and upset with for a person.

Examples

  • I was upset about the cancellation.
  • The child looked upset after the game.
  • She was upset with her friend for leaving early.
  • They were upset by the news.
  • He was upset that nobody called.
  • Please tell me if you feel upset.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Upset does not always mean angry; someone may be sad or worried instead.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct answer. The news made her unhappy; she was ___. (upset / delighted)

    Show answer or example answer

    upset

    Upset fits someone distressed by the news.

  2. Choose the correct answer. They were upset ___ the lost tickets. (about / under)

    Show answer or example answer

    about

    About introduces the cause of the feeling.

  3. Choose the correct answer. I am upset ___ my neighbour for shouting. (with / from)

    Show answer or example answer

    with

    With identifies the person who caused the distress.

Use it today

Describe a time someone felt upset and say what caused it.