Sometimes people get mad. We all feel this way once in a while. When someone is angry, they may say or do things that show how they feel. In English, there are special phrases called idioms. These are short sayings that mean something different from the words used. Some idioms help us talk about feeling angry in a fun or interesting way.
This article will teach you some of these idioms. You will learn what they mean and how to use them. These sayings can help you understand others and express your own feelings better. Let’s explore how people use idioms to talk about being angry.
Idioms for Angry
1. Hot under the collar
Meaning: Feeling very angry or upset.
To Provide an Example: Mom got hot under the collar when I spilled juice on the carpet. / My brother was hot under the collar after losing his video game.
Alternative Meaning: Upset about something small. / Mad but trying to stay calm.
2. Blow a fuse
Meaning: To suddenly get very angry.
To Provide an Example: Dad blew a fuse when the dog chewed his shoes. / She blew a fuse after her toy broke.
Alternative Meaning: Yelled or shouted loudly. / Lost control because of anger.
3. See red
Meaning: To become very angry very fast.
To Provide an Example: I saw red when my sister broke my model car. / He saw red after being pushed at recess.
Alternative Meaning: Felt super mad right away. / Got angry without thinking.
4. Bite someone’s head off
Meaning: To speak in a very angry way.
To Provide an Example: I asked a question and the teacher bit my head off. / Dad bit my head off when I forgot to feed the dog.
Alternative Meaning: Spoke without being nice. / Got angry over something small.
5. Hit the roof
Meaning: To become really, really angry.
To Provide an Example: Mom hit the roof when she saw my messy room. / My coach hit the roof when we didn’t follow directions.
Alternative Meaning: Got very mad very fast. / Couldn’t stay calm.
6. Steam coming out of ears
Meaning: Looking very angry.
To Provide an Example: He had steam coming out of his ears after his toy broke. / Mom looked like she had steam coming out of her ears when we spilled paint.
Alternative Meaning: Looked super mad. / Face showed big anger.
7. Go bananas
Meaning: To act wild or get mad.
To Provide an Example: My brother went bananas when he lost the last cookie. / The kids went bananas when they couldn’t play outside.
Alternative Meaning: Got silly or mad. / Lost control of feelings.
8. Mad as a hornet
Meaning: Very, very angry.
To Provide an Example: She was mad as a hornet when her brother took her book. / He looked mad as a hornet after losing his baseball glove.
Alternative Meaning: Super mad. / Like someone who wants to yell.
9. Flip your lid
Meaning: To suddenly get angry.
To Provide an Example: Dad flipped his lid when we drew on the wall. / I flipped my lid when my snack fell on the floor.
Alternative Meaning: Got upset fast. / Couldn’t stay calm.
10. Burn up
Meaning: To feel very angry inside.
To Provide an Example: I was burning up when my friend didn’t share. / She was burning up after losing the game.
Alternative Meaning: Felt mad but didn’t show it. / Quietly angry.
11. Get worked up
Meaning: To become more and more upset.
To Provide an Example: He got worked up when he lost his turn. / I got worked up because no one listened to me.
Alternative Meaning: Got more mad over time. / Couldn’t calm down.
12. Have a cow
Meaning: To react with big anger.
To Provide an Example: Mom had a cow when she saw the muddy shoes. / I had a cow when my toy got stepped on.
Alternative Meaning: Got really upset fast. / Big reaction to something small.
13. Blow your top
Meaning: To lose control because you’re mad.
To Provide an Example: Dad blew his top when we fought in the car. / She blew her top when the dog ran away.
Alternative Meaning: Couldn’t stay calm. / Got super mad.
14. Lose it
Meaning: To get so mad you can’t think clearly.
To Provide an Example: I lost it when my brother broke my toy. / He lost it after the team lost the game.
Alternative Meaning: Started yelling or crying. / Forgot to stay calm.
15. Fly off the handle
Meaning: To get angry all of a sudden.
To Provide an Example: My sister flew off the handle when I touched her drawing. / He flew off the handle when he was told “no.”
Alternative Meaning: Got mad right away. / Didn’t wait or listen.
16. Bite back anger
Meaning: Trying hard not to show anger.
To Provide an Example: I bit back my anger when my friend took my crayons. / She bit back her anger when the game was unfair.
Alternative Meaning: Tried not to yell. / Stayed quiet but was upset.
17. Fume
Meaning: Feeling really mad inside.
To Provide an Example: He sat there fuming after losing the race. / I was fuming when my name was left off the list.
Alternative Meaning: Silently mad. / Boiling inside.
18. Hit the ceiling
Meaning: To get very angry quickly.
To Provide an Example: Dad hit the ceiling when we didn’t clean up. / I hit the ceiling after my tower fell down.
Alternative Meaning: Got upset fast. / Loud reaction.
19. See stars
Meaning: So mad it feels like your head hurts.
To Provide an Example: I saw stars when my brother threw my toy. / She saw stars after being yelled at.
Alternative Meaning: Felt dizzy with anger. / Shocked and upset.
20. Let it boil
Meaning: Keep anger inside without saying anything.
To Provide an Example: He let it boil when no one shared with him. / She let it boil after not getting a turn.
Alternative Meaning: Didn’t speak but was angry. / Holding in mad feelings.
21. Tear into someone
Meaning: Speak angrily to someone.
To Provide an Example: Coach tore into the team for not trying. / Mom tore into me for leaving my bike out.
Alternative Meaning: Scolded loudly. / Showed anger with words.
22. Ruffle feathers
Meaning: To make someone mad.
To Provide an Example: I ruffled my sister’s feathers by teasing her. / He ruffled the teacher’s feathers by not listening.
Alternative Meaning: Made someone upset. / Caused anger on purpose.
23. Storm off
Meaning: Leave quickly because you’re mad.
To Provide an Example: I stormed off when my team didn’t pass me the ball. / She stormed off after being told no.
Alternative Meaning: Walked away angry. / Left to cool down.
24. In a huff
Meaning: Acting mad and bothered.
To Provide an Example: He left the room in a huff after losing. / She sat in a huff when she didn’t get her turn.
Alternative Meaning: Pouting or upset. / Showing anger without words.
25. Raise your voice
Meaning: Speak louder because you are upset.
To Provide an Example: I raised my voice when no one listened. / Dad raised his voice when we kept fighting.
Alternative Meaning: Talking loudly from anger. / Sounding upset.
26. On the warpath
Meaning: Very angry and ready to show it.
To Provide an Example: Mom was on the warpath after seeing the muddy footprints. / My sister was on the warpath when I touched her project.
Alternative Meaning: Looking for someone to yell at. / About to get someone in trouble.
27. Get in a stew
Meaning: To feel upset and worried at the same time.
To Provide an Example: I got in a stew when I forgot my homework. / He got in a stew after his friend yelled at him.
Alternative Meaning: Nervous and mad. / Feeling mixed-up and upset.
28. Burn with anger
Meaning: Feel very mad deep inside.
To Provide an Example: She burned with anger when she was blamed. / I burned with anger when I was left out.
Alternative Meaning: Couldn’t stop feeling mad. / Holding strong angry feelings.
29. Get bent out of shape
Meaning: Get upset or angry over something.
To Provide an Example: He got bent out of shape when his crayon broke. / I got bent out of shape after losing my place in line.
Alternative Meaning: Took something too hard. / Got upset over a small thing.
30. Lose your cool
Meaning: To stop being calm.
To Provide an Example: I lost my cool when my tower fell over. / She lost her cool when her brother spilled her juice.
Alternative Meaning: Couldn’t stay calm. / Got mad suddenly.
31. Hit the bottle (NOTE: Replacing this idiom for age-appropriateness)
Replaced with: Have a meltdown
Meaning: To cry or shout because you’re mad or upset.
To Provide an Example: I had a meltdown when I couldn’t go to the park./ He had a meltdown when he lost his toy.
Alternative Meaning: Big cry or loud yelling. / Mad and sad at the same time.
32. Get hot
Meaning: Start feeling angry.
To Provide an Example: I got hot when I was blamed for something I didn’t do. / He got hot after being called a name.
Alternative Meaning: Starting to get mad. / Feeling upset inside.
33. Jump down someone’s throat
Meaning: Yell at someone quickly.
To Provide an Example: She jumped down my throat when I made a mistake. / Dad jumped down my throat after I spilled the milk.
Alternative Meaning: Got angry fast. / Spoke in a mad way.
34. Get fired up
Meaning: Become really mad or excited.
To Provide an Example: He got fired up when no one followed the rules. / I got fired up when my team didn’t play fair.
Alternative Meaning: Ready to yell or act. / Very upset or worked up.
35. Shake with anger
Meaning: So angry your body shakes.
To Provide an Example: I shook with anger when I was left out of the game. / She was shaking with anger when her drawing was torn.
Alternative Meaning: Couldn’t stay still. / Very mad inside.
36. Red in the face
Meaning: Face turns red from being mad.
To Provide an Example: He was red in the face when he got in trouble. / I got red in the face after being yelled at.
Alternative Meaning: Showed anger on the face. / Blushing because of mad feelings.
37. Get cross
Meaning: Feel a little bit angry.
To Provide an Example: I got cross when my friend didn’t wait for me. / She got cross when she had to clean up alone.
Alternative Meaning: Mildly upset. / A little mad.
38. Grumble
Meaning: Complain in a low, angry voice.
To Provide an Example: He grumbled when he had to do chores. / I grumbled after bedtime was moved earlier.
Alternative Meaning: Talked while mad. / Quietly complained.
39. Cold as ice
Meaning: Act mad without showing it.
To Provide an Example: She was cold as ice after her friend made fun of her /He looked cold as ice when he lost the game.
Alternative Meaning: Quiet but angry. / Didn’t speak but showed it.
40. Lose your temper
Meaning: To stop being patient and get mad.
To Provide an Example: Dad lost his temper when we didn’t listen. / I lost my temper after being pushed.
Alternative Meaning: Yelled because of anger. / No longer calm.
41. Short fuse
Meaning: Get angry very quickly.
To Provide an Example: My brother has a short fuse when playing games. / She has a short fuse when she is tired.
Alternative Meaning: Gets mad easily. / Quick to blow up.
42. Hopping mad
Meaning: Very, very angry.
To Provide an Example: I was hopping mad when my snack was taken. / He was hopping mad when his turn was skipped.
Alternative Meaning: Too mad to sit still. / Super upset.
43. All worked up
Meaning: Feeling upset and full of energy.
To Provide an Example: He got all worked up when the toy was broken. / I got all worked up when things didn’t go my way.
Alternative Meaning: Full of mad feelings. / Excited and upset.
44. Burn with rage
Meaning: Feel very strong anger.
To Provide an Example: I burned with rage when my idea was taken. / She burned with rage when her doll was missing.
Alternative Meaning: Strong mad feelings. / Fire-like anger.
45. Talk through clenched teeth
Meaning: Speak while trying to hide anger.
To Provide an Example: I talked through clenched teeth when I was blamed. / He talked through clenched teeth after losing.
Alternative Meaning: Spoke tightly while mad. / Didn’t yell, but angry.
46. Get snappy
Meaning: Say things in a quick, mad way.
To Provide an Example: She got snappy when we asked too many questions. / He got snappy when told to clean up.
Alternative Meaning: Talked fast and mad. / Not kind with words.
47. Stormy mood
Meaning: Feeling angry or upset for a while.
To Provide an Example: He was in a stormy mood after school. / I stayed in a stormy mood after losing my toy.
Alternative Meaning: Stayed mad. / Upset for a long time.
48. Fire in the belly
Meaning: Feeling strong anger or passion.
To Provide an Example: I had fire in my belly when I wanted to fix what was wrong. / She had fire in her belly when she stood up for her friend.
Alternative Meaning: Mad and ready to act. / Strong energy from being upset.
49. Let it out
Meaning: Show your mad feelings.
To Provide an Example: I let it out by talking to my mom. / He let it out by writing in his notebook.
Alternative Meaning: Shared mad feelings. / Didn’t keep it inside.
50. Boiling point
Meaning: The moment when someone can’t take it anymore.
To Provide an Example: I reached my boiling point when no one listened. / She hit her boiling point when her book was ripped.
Alternative Meaning: Final moment before anger shows. / Can’t hold it in anymore.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Angry
- Dad _____________________ when he saw the paint all over the couch.
- My sister was _____________________ after I messed up her Lego tower.
- I _____________________ when I wasn’t picked to be the line leader.
- Mom was _____________________ when we forgot to clean our room again.
- I _____________________ when my friend said I cheated, but I didn’t.
- He had _____________________ when he dropped his ice cream.
- She looked like she had _____________________ after losing the board game.
- My brother _____________________ when he couldn’t find his favorite toy.
- I tried to _____________________ even though I was very mad.
- Coach _____________________ when no one followed the practice rules.
- I got _____________________ when my drawing was laughed at.
- My little brother was _____________________ after bedtime was moved up.
- She _____________________ when she saw her homework torn.
- I _____________________ and yelled after losing the race.
- My friend was in a _____________________ after we had a fight at recess.
Answer Key
- blew a fuse
- mad as a hornet
- saw red
- on the warpath
- burned with anger
- a meltdown
- steam coming out of her ears
- lost it
- bite back my anger
- tore into us
- hot under the collar
- in a huff
- hit the roof
- lost my cool
- stormy mood
Conclusion
Learning idioms can help you talk about feelings in a fun way. Some people get mad quickly. Others try to stay calm. These sayings help show those different kinds of anger.Now you know how to use words like blow a fuse or see red. You can hear these at school, at home, or even on TV. Try using a few the next time you feel upset. It might help you share how you feel more clearly.
