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

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 ● Dec. 13, 2024

This digital monster that has taught the culture how to overreact and fly off the handle needs to be tamed.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 5, 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

“Bri, let me ask you something. Promise not to fly off the handle, okay?”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

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