blow a gasket
Totally lose it
To blow a gasket is to lose one's temper explosively.
The phrase comes from engines, where a blown gasket causes sudden, dramatic failure—steam or fluid escaping under pressure.
The human version is similar: When Dad saw the credit card bill, he blew a gasket.
Sometimes used for mechanical failures too, but the anger sense dominates.
- flip outLose emotional control suddenly
- lose itSuccumb to overwhelming emotion
- go ballisticLose temper violently
- explodeBurst with sudden force
- freak outReact with extreme alarm
go off the deep end · hit the roof · go through the roof · throw a fit · fly into a rage · rage · fly off the handle · apoplectic · boil over · snap · see red · have a cow · meltdown · come unglued · fury · have kittens · wrath · have a fit
- anger expressionssee red, seeing red, lose your temper, hit the roof, fly off the handle
- ragerage, fury, wrath, enraged, furious
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
blow a gasketkeep one's cool
Maintain emotional control
stay calm · keep calm · keep one's head · keep one's shirt on · keep it together
blow a gaskethold one's tongue
Deliberately not speak
bite one's tongue · internalize · repress · keep a stiff upper lip · put on a brave face
blow a gaskethold one's tongue
Deliberately not speak
bite one's tongue · turn the other cheek · roll with the punches · grin and bear it · take it on the chin
blow, blown, blowing, blows, blowout, overblown, gasket, gaskets