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snap someone's head off

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see bite someone's head off.

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

MORE ABOUT SNAP SOMEONE'S HEAD OFF

What does snap someone’s head off mean?

To snap someone’s head off is to yell at or talk very angrily with someone, as in The boss is going to bite Greg’s head off when he sees the mess that he made. 

A more common version of the phrase is bite someone’s head off.

These phrases are figurative—they don’t actually refer to literally biting or snapping off someone’s head.

They’re often used by the person who fears the wrath of someone else, as in Don’t snap my head off! I said I was sorry!

Example: If Jesse insults me one more time, I am going to snap his head off.

Where does snap someone’s head off come from?

The first records of snap someone’s head off come from the 1880s. The first records of bite someone’s head off come from the mid-1900s. Both replaced the older snap someone’s nose off, which dates back to the early 1700s.

These phrases seem to be figuratively comparing a very angry person to a dangerous wild animal. They are often used in exaggerations.

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What are some synonyms for snap someone’s head off?

What are some words that share a root or word element with snap someone’s head off

What are some words that often get used in discussing snap someone’s head off?

How is bite someone’s head off used in real life?

Snap someone’s head off is usually used by the person who is at the receiving end of such an action. Bite someone’s head off is much more common.

Try using snap someone’s head off!

Which of the following terms is NOT a synonym of snap someone’s head off?

A. scream at someone
B. calm someone down
C. get angry at someone
D. yell at someone

How to use snap someone's head off in a sentence

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