flew off the handle
Had angry outburst
To fly off the handle is to lose one's temper suddenly and explosively: She flew off the handle when she saw the dent in her car.
The image is of an axe head coming loose from its handle—violent, uncontrolled, potentially dangerous.
Flew off the handle is simply the past tense: He flew off the handle over nothing.
Extremely angry or discolored
- fumingExtremely angry, visibly so
- seethingIntensely, quietly enraged
- irateExtremely angry
- incensedExtremely angry
enraged · infuriated · apoplectic · boiling · hot-headed · agitated · beside oneself · seeing red
Intense violent anger
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
- rageIntense, violent anger
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
indignation · resentment · annoyance · vexation · ire · choler · spleen · temper
Broke with sudden force
- explodedBurst violently outward
- eruptedBurst out violently
- lost itSuddenly gave way emotionally
- blew a fuseBecame suddenly furious
went off · blew up · cracked · broke down · came apart · went postal
Violent burst of energy
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- blowupSudden fit of rage
flare-up · tirade · rant · overreaction · conniption · hissy fit · outpouring · scene
livid
Extremely angry or discolored
incensed · enraged · infuriated · apoplectic · boiling · hot-headed · agitated · beside oneself · seeing red · worked up
fury
Intense violent anger
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
- rageIntense, violent anger
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
exasperation · indignation · resentment · annoyance · vexation · ire · choler · spleen · temper · animosity
snapped
Broke with sudden force
blew a fuse · went off · blew up · cracked · broke down · came apart · went postal
explosion
Violent burst of energy
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
blowup · flare-up · tirade · rant · overreaction · conniption · hissy fit · outpouring · scene · blow-up
- lost controllost control, lost it, snapped, went crazy, went nuts
flew off the handlekept one's cool
Remained calm despite provocation
bit one's tongue · stayed calm · held it together · measured response · rolled with the punches
flew off the handlemeasured response
Controlled, proportional reply
calm demeanor · nonreaction · poker face · deadpan · indifference