fly off the handle

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

He was estranged from many members of his family, with one saying he would "fly off the handle at anything".

From BBC

It took me longer to grasp just how tired was plumb tired and what really happened when someone flew off the handle.

From Salon

Isaac, who did not want his surname to be published, said it was a "daily occurrence" to hear teachers "completely fly off the handle" at pupils, including those as young as 12 and 13.

From BBC

The steady stream of Republican politicians showing up at the trial also appears to be a strategy for keeping Trump from flying off the handle in court.

From Salon

Edmonds police received a tip about a possible suspect who matched the description, took that route to work and reportedly had “an anger problem where he could fly off the handle at any moment.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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