English idiom

fly off the handle

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to lose one's temper suddenly and uncontrollably

Why this phrase?

A loose axe head flies off its handle with no warning and hits whatever is nearby; a sudden rage is pictured the same way.

Example

“He flew off the handle when he saw the scratched car.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

blow off steam

to release pent-up energy or emotion through some activity

go through the roof

to rise very quickly to a very high level; or to become extremely angry

jump up and down

to react with strong excitement or anger about something

cut loose

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

drive someone up the wall

to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated

get on someone's nerves

to repeatedly irritate or annoy someone

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

markdown