Fly off the handle
phrase
To suddenly become very angry.
He flies off the handle at the slightest criticism.
Often appears as...
- fly off the handle at something
- fly off the handle for no reason
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
phrase
To suddenly become very angry.
He flies off the handle at the slightest criticism.
Often appears as...
- fly off the handle at something
- fly off the handle for no reason
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase suggests a sudden shift to extreme anger, typically in an uncontrolled manner.
The calm discussion took a turn when Mike flew off the handle.
Pro Tip 2/3Surprise Element
The anger is often unexpected and may seem disproportionate to the situation.
She flew off the handle when she saw the typo, which surprised everyone.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Using this phrase usually implies a criticism of the person's reaction as being unreasonable.
His tendency to fly off the handle made his colleagues wary of giving feedback.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase suggests a sudden shift to extreme anger, typically in an uncontrolled manner.
The calm discussion took a turn when Mike flew off the handle.
Pro Tip 2/3Surprise Element
The anger is often unexpected and may seem disproportionate to the situation.
She flew off the handle when she saw the typo, which surprised everyone.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Using this phrase usually implies a criticism of the person's reaction as being unreasonable.
His tendency to fly off the handle made his colleagues wary of giving feedback.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase suggests a sudden shift to extreme anger, typically in an uncontrolled manner.
The calm discussion took a turn when Mike flew off the handle.
Pro Tip 2/3Surprise Element
The anger is often unexpected and may seem disproportionate to the situation.
She flew off the handle when she saw the typo, which surprised everyone.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Using this phrase usually implies a criticism of the person's reaction as being unreasonable.
His tendency to fly off the handle made his colleagues wary of giving feedback.
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