fly off the handle

Cultural  

1. To become suddenly enraged: “When Jack's father found out about the car, he really flew off the handle.”

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fly off the handle Idioms  

1. Lose one's temper, as in Tom flies off the handle at the slightest setback. This metaphoric expression alludes to the loosened head of a hammer flying off after a blow. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fly off the handle

“I fly off the handle and scream. The next day I can’t remember what made me mad.”

From New York Times ● Nov. 12, 2021

They might fly off the handle and say, 'I hate you'.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2021

That doesn’t mean I don’t fly off the handle at times.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2021

It's difficult to be a director and fly off the handle.

From Salon ● Mar. 9, 2021

“No problem,” said Robert warily, “though I’d appreciate it if you didn’t fly off the handle over every detail.”

From "The Number Devil" by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

Related Words

• blow up
• boil over
• erupt
• rampage
• roar
• seethe
• tear