to-do

/tə ˈduː/ (bre, ipa) · [tˌudˈu] /tə ˈduː/ (ame, ipa)

to-do — noun

1. a noisy reaction to a small problem, with people getting much more upset, worrie

1.名詞C1
釋義

a noisy reaction to a small problem, with people getting much more upset, worried, or excited than the situation really needs

例句

Anna made a huge to-do about one missing spoon after dinner.

pattern: make a to-do about + noun phrase

The manager's to-do over the coffee stain delayed the meeting by ten minutes.

noun + over + small problem

同義詞
  • fuss

    the closest and more common word for unnecessary worry or complaint

  • commotion

    focuses more on noisy movement or confusion, not necessarily an overreaction

  • uproar

    much stronger and more public, often involving many angry people

文法句型

make a to-do about + noun phrase

a to-do over + noun phrase

why all this to-do?

用法筆記

Usually used when the speaker thinks the reaction is silly or out of proportion. Common patterns are 'make a to-do about ...' and 'a big to-do over ...'.

常見錯誤

❌She did a to-do when the bus was late.
✅She made a big to-do when the bus was late.
💡We usually say 'make a to-do', not 'do a to-do'.
❌I wrote the shopping on my to-do.
✅I wrote the shopping on my to-do list.
💡By itself, 'to-do' here means a fuss, not a list of tasks.