Take leave of your senses
phrase
To behave in a way that is irrational or not normal, typically due to sudden strong emotion.
After his girlfriend broke up with him, he seemed to take leave of his senses, selling all his belongings and moving to a remote cabin.

Often appears as...
- seem to take leave of one’s senses
- temporarily take leave of one’s senses
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To behave in a way that is irrational or not normal, typically due to sudden strong emotion.
After his girlfriend broke up with him, he seemed to take leave of his senses, selling all his belongings and moving to a remote cabin.

Often appears as...
- seem to take leave of one’s senses
- temporarily take leave of one’s senses
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1

Emotional Trigger
Used when someone's emotions cause them to act unexpectedly or irrationally.

When he heard the news, he took leave of his senses and yelled at everyone.
Temporary Insanity
Suggests a short period of irrational behavior, not permanent madness.

She took leave of her senses during the argument but later apologized for her words.
Hyperbole
Often an exaggeration rather than indicating true mental instability.

He took leave of his senses and bought every lottery ticket in the shop!
Emotional Trigger
Used when someone's emotions cause them to act unexpectedly or irrationally.

When he heard the news, he took leave of his senses and yelled at everyone.
Temporary Insanity
Suggests a short period of irrational behavior, not permanent madness.

She took leave of her senses during the argument but later apologized for her words.
Hyperbole
Often an exaggeration rather than indicating true mental instability.

He took leave of his senses and bought every lottery ticket in the shop!
Emotional Trigger
Used when someone's emotions cause them to act unexpectedly or irrationally.

When he heard the news, he took leave of his senses and yelled at everyone.
Temporary Insanity
Suggests a short period of irrational behavior, not permanent madness.

She took leave of her senses during the argument but later apologized for her words.
Hyperbole
Often an exaggeration rather than indicating true mental instability.

He took leave of his senses and bought every lottery ticket in the shop!
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