Ms. Abbott reveals gradually (as it was revealed to her) why Hat never finished school, why such a charming man was wound so tight and why his relations with his parents fueled a helpless anger.

Besides, if I had to stay where I was much longer, my nerves were going to wind so tight that I'd implode.

He was wound so tight that if Kovac pushed him hard enough and he snapped, it would be like suddenly loosing a hightension wire-no control at all.

On the last night, he'd be wound especially tight.

The springs there were wound so tight that it would be a long while before there was any slack in them.

"You have to be wound so tight and you can't have any feelings."

I guess I'm wound a little tight.

Mr. Meinert, the chorus teacher, is wound so tight that he blows up at Hart and the entire class.