Sometimes, people feel very mad. They might feel like shouting or crying. When someone is angry, they may use special phrases to show how they feel. These are called idioms. Idioms are fun and help us understand feelings in a new way.
This article will talk about idioms that show anger. You may have heard some before, like “blow your top” or “hot under the collar.” We will learn what these mean and how to use them. Idioms can make talking about feelings easier and more fun.
Idioms for Anger
1. Blow your top
Meaning: To get very angry suddenly.
To Provide an Example: When Jake’s toy broke, he blew his top. / Mom blew her top when she saw the mess in the kitchen.
Alternative Meaning: Lose control because of anger. / Shout loudly because something went wrong.
2. Hot under the collar
Meaning: Feeling angry or upset.
To Provide an Example: Amy got hot under the collar when her brother took her snack. / Dad was hot under the collar after the car wouldn’t start.
Alternative Meaning: Getting bothered by something. / Feeling upset inside.
3. See red
Meaning: To become very angry.
To Provide an Example: Ben saw red when his little sister spilled juice on his book. / I saw red when someone pushed me in line.
Alternative Meaning: Feel very mad all of a sudden. / Get so angry that you forget to stay calm.
4. Lose your cool
Meaning: To stop being calm and become angry.
To Provide an Example: I lost my cool when my ice cream fell on the ground. / She lost her cool after her brother kept teasing her.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t stay quiet when upset. / Start yelling or crying from anger.
5. Bite someone’s head off
Meaning: To speak in a mean way because you’re mad.
To Provide an Example: Dad bit my head off when I forgot to do my homework. / My sister bit my head off when I used her markers.
Alternative Meaning: Yell at someone without a good reason. / Talk angrily even if it’s a small problem.
6. Hit the roof
Meaning: To get very angry quickly.
To Provide an Example: Mom hit the roof when she saw paint on the walls. / He hit the roof after his game didn’t save.
Alternative Meaning: Get really mad. / Yell or shout because something bad happened.
7. Have a short fuse
Meaning: To get angry very easily.
To Provide an Example: My brother has a short fuse when he’s tired. / She has a short fuse and gets mad if things go wrong.
Alternative Meaning: Gets upset fast. / Can’t stay calm for long.
8. Go off the deep end
Meaning: To suddenly act very angry or upset.
To Provide an Example: He went off the deep end when he lost his toy. / She went off the deep end after her drawing got ripped.
Alternative Meaning: React with strong anger. / Lose control because of a small problem.
9. Blow a fuse
Meaning: To become very angry.
To Provide an Example: Dad blew a fuse when he stepped on Legos. / I blew a fuse when my cookie was taken.
Alternative Meaning: Yell because you are mad. / Get very upset.
10. In a huff
Meaning: To be slightly angry or annoyed.
To Provide an Example: He walked away in a huff after losing the game. / She was in a huff when her turn was skipped.
Alternative Meaning: Upset and showing it. / Acting mad but quiet.
11. Get worked up
Meaning: To become upset or angry.
To Provide an Example: I got worked up when I couldn’t find my toy. / She got worked up over the spilled juice.
Alternative Meaning: Feel upset. / Get nervous or mad.
12. Fly off the handle
Meaning: To suddenly get very angry.
To Provide an Example: He flew off the handle when he heard the bad news. / She flew off the handle when the dog chewed her shoe.
Alternative Meaning: Yell or cry from anger. / React without thinking.
13. Get bent out of shape
Meaning: To get upset or angry.
To Provide an Example: Don’t get bent out of shape over a small mistake. / He got bent out of shape when his crayon broke.
Alternative Meaning: Get mad even if it’s not a big deal. / Feel sad or upset.
14. Steamed up
Meaning: To feel angry.
To Provide an Example: She got steamed up when no one listened to her. / I was steamed up after waiting too long.
Alternative Meaning: Mad inside. / Feel like yelling.
15. Raise your voice
Meaning: To speak loudly because you’re angry.
To Provide an Example: He raised his voice during the argument. / She raised her voice when the room was messy.
Alternative Meaning: Talk loud because you’re upset. / Show you’re mad by shouting.
16. Go bananas
Meaning: To act wild from anger or excitement.
To Provide an Example: He went bananas when his toy was taken. / The class went bananas after recess was canceled.
Alternative Meaning: Go crazy from strong feelings. / Act without thinking.
17. Burn up
Meaning: To feel very angry.
To Provide an Example: I was burning up when I missed the bus. / She burned up when her drawing got lost.
Alternative Meaning: Feel really mad inside. / Want to yell or cry.
18. Storm out
Meaning: To leave angrily.
To Provide an Example: He stormed out of the room after the fight. / She stormed out when told to clean up.
Alternative Meaning: Leave with anger. / Walk away mad.
19. Fit to be tied
Meaning: Very angry.
To Provide an Example: Mom was fit to be tied when we broke the vase. / He was fit to be tied after missing his show.
Alternative Meaning: Super mad. / Ready to yell.
20. Throw a tantrum
Meaning: To scream or cry when upset.
To Provide an Example: The baby threw a tantrum at the store. / He threw a tantrum when he didn’t get a toy.
Alternative Meaning: Cry loudly when angry. / Show big feelings in a loud way.
21. At the end of your rope
Meaning: To feel tired and angry.
To Provide an Example: I was at the end of my rope after trying to fix my bike. / Mom was at the end of her rope after cleaning all day.
Alternative Meaning: Feel like giving up. / Too tired to stay calm.
22. Chew someone out
Meaning: To yell at someone.
To Provide an Example: The coach chewed us out for not listening. / She chewed him out for breaking her pencil.
Alternative Meaning: Talk in a mean way. / Say angry words.
23. Mad as a hornet
Meaning: Very angry.
To Provide an Example: He was mad as a hornet when his project got ruined. / She was mad as a hornet when her friend lied.
Alternative Meaning: Angry like a buzzing hornet. / Full of strong mad feelings.
24. Get in someone’s face
Meaning: To act angry toward someone.
To Provide an Example: He got in my face when I changed the TV. / She got in her sister’s face after the joke.
Alternative Meaning: Speak close and loud. / Show you’re mad.
25. Like a ticking time bomb
Meaning: Ready to get angry anytime.
To Provide an Example: He was like a ticking time bomb during the test. / She was like a ticking time bomb before bedtime.
Alternative Meaning: Might get mad any second. / Holding in big feelings.
26. Have a cow
Meaning: To get very upset or angry.
To Provide an Example: Dad had a cow when he saw the muddy shoes on the carpet. / She had a cow when her favorite toy went missing.
Alternative Meaning: React in a big, angry way. / Get mad about something small.
27. Go nuts
Meaning: To act wild from anger or surprise.
To Provide an Example: He went nuts when his drawing was torn. / I went nuts when I couldn’t find my backpack.
Alternative Meaning: Act really mad. / Shout and move a lot from anger.
28. All fired up
Meaning: Feeling strong emotions, often anger.
To Provide an Example: He was all fired up after losing the game. / She got all fired up when no one helped her clean.
Alternative Meaning: Full of big, mad feelings. / Ready to say or do something because of anger.
29. In a rage
Meaning: Very angry and upset.
To Provide an Example: He was in a rage after his snack was taken. / She was in a rage when the crayons were broken.
Alternative Meaning: So angry it shows on your face. / Ready to yell or cry.
30. Let off steam
Meaning: To do something to release anger.
To Provide an Example: He ran outside to let off steam after the fight. / She let off steam by drawing after getting upset.
Alternative Meaning: Do something to feel better. / Get rid of mad feelings.
31. Lose it
Meaning: To suddenly get very angry.
To Provide an Example: I lost it when I dropped my ice cream. / He lost it when the dog chewed his book.
Alternative Meaning: Stop being calm. / Act out because of anger.
32. Go ballistic
Meaning: To get extremely angry.
To Provide an Example: She went ballistic when she spilled paint. / He went ballistic after being called a name.
Alternative Meaning: React in a loud and angry way. / Act like a rocket taking off.
33. Fume
Meaning: To feel mad and not talk about it.
To Provide an Example: He sat there fuming after losing his toy. / She fumed when no one listened to her.
Alternative Meaning: Stay quiet but very mad. / Think mad thoughts.
34. See steam coming out of ears
Meaning: To look very angry.
To Provide an Example: Dad looked like he had steam coming out of his ears. / I had steam coming out of my ears when my sister lied.
Alternative Meaning: So mad it shows. / Look really upset.
35. Burn with anger
Meaning: To feel strong anger inside.
To Provide an Example: I burned with anger when he laughed at me. / She burned with anger when they didn’t wait for her.
Alternative Meaning: Anger feels hot inside. / Strong mad feeling in your body.
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. / She was red in the face after the argument.
Alternative Meaning: So mad your face changes. / Look upset.
37. Throw a fit
Meaning: To act out when angry.
To Provide an Example: The boy threw a fit when he had to leave the park. / She threw a fit after bedtime was called early.
Alternative Meaning: Cry, scream, or stomp from anger. / Make a big deal when upset.
38. Grin and bear it
Meaning: To stay calm even when upset.
To Provide an Example: He wanted to yell but chose to grin and bear it. / She grinned and bore it when she got blamed.
Alternative Meaning: Stay quiet even if you’re mad. / Don’t show anger.
39. On edge
Meaning: Easy to upset.
To Provide an Example: He was on edge before the test. / I was on edge after a rough morning.
Alternative Meaning: Close to losing your temper. / Feel jumpy and mad.
40. Have a meltdown
Meaning: To cry or act out when upset.
To Provide an Example: She had a meltdown when her block tower fell. / He had a meltdown after losing his toy car.
Alternative Meaning: Big show of feelings. / Lose control and cry or scream.
41. Lose your temper
Meaning: To stop being calm and get mad.
To Provide an Example: Dad lost his temper when we fought. / She lost her temper when the TV turned off.
Alternative Meaning: Yell or act mean when mad. / Can’t stay quiet.
42. In no mood
Meaning: Feeling grumpy or angry.
To Provide an Example: He was in no mood to talk after school. / I was in no mood to play after my book got lost.
Alternative Meaning: Don’t feel happy or friendly. / Want to be alone.
43. Blow your stack
Meaning: To get very angry fast.
To Provide an Example: She blew her stack after her toy broke. / He blew his stack when I took his place in line.
Alternative Meaning: Yell loudly. / Get super mad.
44. Go crazy
Meaning: Act wild from anger.
To Provide an Example: He went crazy when the ball popped. / She went crazy when her picture was torn.
Alternative Meaning: Lose control because of anger. / Act loud and upset.
45. Get ticked off
Meaning: To feel a little angry.
To Provide an Example: I got ticked off when they didn’t wait for me. / She got ticked off when her name was left out.
Alternative Meaning: Feel hurt or upset. / Slightly mad.
46. Hot temper
Meaning: Gets mad quickly.
To Provide an Example: He has a hot temper when things go wrong. / She showed her hot temper when we changed the game.
Alternative Meaning: Gets mad fast. / Easy to upset.
47. All riled up
Meaning: Full of strong angry feelings.
To Provide an Example: He got all riled up about losing. / I was all riled up after the group left me.
Alternative Meaning: Feel full of anger. / React strong to something.
48. Fire in your belly
Meaning: Feeling strong emotions like anger.
To Provide an Example: She had fire in her belly during the race. / He showed fire in his belly when he was treated unfairly.
Alternative Meaning: Anger gives energy. / Feel brave and mad.
49. Rant and rave
Meaning: To speak loudly when angry.
To Provide an Example: He ranted and raved after the game was canceled. / She ranted and raved when her toy was lost.
Alternative Meaning: Talk a lot because you’re mad. / Loud complaining.
50. Fed up
Meaning: Tired of something and angry about it.
To Provide an Example: I was fed up with waiting for my turn. / She was fed up with being blamed.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t take it anymore. / Mad from too much of something.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Anger
- My little brother ______________ when I touched his video game without asking.
- Mom ______________ when she found crayon marks on the wall.
- I started to ______________ after I waited in line for a long time.
- Dad ______________ when he stepped on my LEGO bricks in the hallway.
- Sarah was ______________ when her ice cream fell on the sidewalk.
- My friend ______________ when I forgot to bring back her favorite book.
- After losing the soccer game, our coach was ______________.
- When the internet stopped working, my sister ______________.
- I was ______________ when I didn’t get a turn on the swings.
- My cousin ______________ at the grocery store when he couldn’t get candy.
- When I spilled juice on my homework, I almost ______________.
- My teacher looked like she had ______________ after we didn’t clean up.
- Jason ______________ when he found out someone broke his science project.
- I didn’t want to ______________, so I took deep breaths and walked away.
- My neighbor’s dog barked so much that I got ______________ and had to go inside.
Answer Key
- blew his top
- hit the roof
- get worked up
- blew a fuse
- red in the face
- bit my head off
- fit to be tied
- went bananas
- in a huff
- threw a tantrum
- lost it
- steam coming out of her ears
- went off the deep end
- blow my stack
- all riled up
Conclusion
Idioms help us talk about feelings in a fun way. Angry feelings can be hard, but using the right words can make it easier to share.
Now you know many ways people show anger through idioms. You might hear them at school, at home, or on TV. Next time you feel mad or hear someone else getting upset, you might remember one of these phrases.
