go ballistic

Idioms and Phrases

Become extremely upset or angry, as in Dad will go ballistic when he sees you dented the new car . This expression, a variation on go berserk , originally alluded to a guided missile going out of control. [ Slang ; mid-1980s]

Example Sentences

And the Republicans are going to go ballistic, especially on immigration.

From The Daily Beast

The latest showdown between the U.S. and Russia could go ballistic.

From The Daily Beast

The lesson is this: Spurned lovers have a tendency to go ballistic.

From The Daily Beast

Her most loyal fans are very entrenched, though: They would probably go ballistic.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• freak out
• go off
• lose it