panic stations起源于英国海军术语，最初海军中有“action stations”（战斗岗位）的指令，要求水兵迅速抵达战位备战。后来人们用“panic”替换“action”，形成这一短语，最初用于调侃战时慌乱备战的状态，后逐渐脱离军事语境，成为英式非正式表达，广泛用于日常口语和书面语中。其中“panic”一词源自希腊神话，牧神Pan常突然制造声响惊吓路人，由此衍生出“恐慌、惊慌”的含义。现在其核心语义：

（因事情紧急、时间紧迫或突发状况而陷入的，尤指忙乱引起的）慌乱状态、忙乱局面、紧急焦虑、惊慌失措的状态，侧重形容人或群体因急事而手忙脚乱、焦虑不安的情形，无贬义，多用于日常、工作、情感、公共事务等各类场景。常用搭配为be at panic stations。

如：

When the deadline for the school project was near, all the students were at panic stations.

当学校项目的截止日期临近时，所有的学生陷入慌乱状态。

Mom was at panic stations when she couldn't find her little son in the shopping mall.

当妈妈在购物中心找不到她的小儿子时，她顿时陷入慌乱焦虑。

When her boyfriend forgot their anniversary, it was panic stations for him as he rushed to buy a gift and apologize.

男友忘记了他们的纪念日，他顿时陷入慌乱，赶紧去买礼物并道歉。

As the wedding day approached, the bride was at panic stations over every small detail.

婚礼日期临近，新娘因为每一个小细节都陷入了慌乱。

He was at panic stations when he thought his girlfriend was going to break up with him.

一想到女友要和自己分手，他就慌作一团。

Two weeks before the college entrance exam, it's always panic stations for senior high school students.

高考前两周，高中生们总是陷入一片忙乱。

After the policy was overturned, the ruling party was at panic stations to adjust its agenda.

政策被推翻后，执政党慌乱不已，急忙调整议事日程。

When the stock market plummeted, investors were at panic stations trying to sell their shares.

股市暴跌后，投资者们陷入慌乱，争相抛售股票。

The sudden enemy attack put the border troops at panic stations for a short time.

敌军的突然袭击让边防部队短暂陷入慌乱。

The unexpected diplomatic incident left the embassy staff at panic stations dealing with follow-up issues.

这起突发外交事件让使馆工作人员陷入慌乱，忙于处理后续事宜。

It was panic stations when we realized we missed the last train.

我们意识到已错过最后一班火车时我们慌作一团。

When the guest list was lost, it was panic stations in the kitchen and the drawing room.

宾客名单丢失后，厨房和客厅里的人都慌作一团。《唐顿庄园》

As the dinner party started, I was at panic stations I’d forgotten to cook the main course.

晚宴开始时，我慌了神，竟然忘了做主菜。《BJ单身日记》