hot under the collar

Idioms  

1. Angry, as in She is quick to get hot under the collar, but once the problem is ironed out she forgets it entirely. This expression alludes to the heat of anger. [c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hot under the collar

“I never said a curse word or stood up or threatened anyone, but it was hot under the collar, and I regret that,” Dorph said.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 17, 2023

The Dodgers were a little hot under the collar through four innings against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, and it had nothing to do with the scorching 99-degree temperature at first pitch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2022

Plus, I was pretty stubborn those days, and I was pretty hot under the collar if anyone tried to tell me to do something that didn't make sense.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2022

Until companies can deliver E.V.s in waves, a whole lot of consumers may also be hot under the collar.

From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2022

People who flush easily become even more agitated when they feel themselves getting hot under the collar, and they quickly lose to their opponents.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank