on the warpath

Cultural  

1. From a Native American expression for war, to be “on the warpath” is to be exceedingly angry and to be inclined to take some hostile action: “Watch out! John is on the warpath today.”

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on the warpath Idioms  

1. Furious and on a hostile course of action, as in When the meat wasn't delivered, the chef went on the warpath. This expression was an English translation of a Native American term that literally means “a path used by a war party.” Go on the war path thus meant “go to battle.” It was used in this way by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841); its present hyperbolic use dates from the late 1800s.

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Example Sentences

After the search, Rudolph W. Giuliani, another lawyer close to Mr. Trump, went on the warpath.

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2022

"He'd go out of the house and be able to start a row over some perceived lack of service - he'd go on the warpath," Ms Doyle said.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2022

Since returning from health and safety protocols, a fully rested Jackson has been on the warpath, reeling in sack after sack.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2021

This why I’m on the warpath against stopping the virus’ transmission.

From Nature • Apr. 21, 2020

“You-know-who has been on the warpath all day long,” said Charles, cutting himself a slice of bread.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• desperate
• enraged
• fierce
• frantic
• frenetic
• frenzied
• incensed
• livid
• raging
• vehement
• violent