C1idiominformalemotionsIELTS-friendly
fly off the handle
USUK
to suddenly become very angry
Informal. It shows that the anger is sudden and too strong for the situation.
In context
My dad flew off the handle when I scratched his new car.
There's no need to fly off the handle; it was only a small mistake.
More idioms about emotions
- a bitter pill to swallowan unpleasant fact or situation that is hard to accept
- a bundle of nervesvery nervous and worried
- a chip on your shouldera lasting anger because you feel you were treated unfairly in the past
- a knot in your stomacha tight, sick feeling in your body caused by worry or fear
- a lump in your throata tight feeling in your throat because you are so moved that you might cry