biting someone's head off
Harsh sudden rebuke
To bite someone's head off is to respond with sudden, disproportionate anger or irritation: I just asked if you wanted coffee—no need to bite my head off.
The phrase captures the shock of receiving hostility when none was warranted, as if a simple question provoked a violent attack.
- flying off the handleLosing composure suddenly
- losing one's temperSudden loss of composure
- losing itMental composure collapsing
- rageIntense, violent anger
- snappingBreaking with sharp sound
blowing up · chastising · reading the riot act · irritation · rebuke · berating · exasperation · reprimand · indignation · overreaction · scolding · lashing out · fury · wrath · annoyance · bad mood · vexation · outburst
emotional control
biting someone's head offkeeping one's cool
Staying composed when provoked
taking it in stride · rolling with the punches · counting to ten · biting one's tongue · taking a breath