flying off the handle
Explosive angry outburst
Flying off the handle means losing one's temper suddenly and explosively, often over something minor: He flew off the handle when I mentioned the dent in his car.
The image is of an axe head separating from its handle mid-swing—sudden, uncontrolled, potentially dangerous.
The phrase usually implies the anger is disproportionate to the provocation.
- freaking outLosing emotional control suddenly
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- rageIntense, violent anger
- going ballisticBecoming extremely angry suddenly
- seeing redOvercome by fury
losing your temper · argument · heated argument · snapping · confrontation · outburst · angry outburst · fury · lashing out · blow a fuse · hit the roof · blame · yelling · irritation · wrath · losing it · blowing up · short fuse
- overreactionsoverreaction, meltdown, tantrum, hissy fit, freakout
flying off the handlekeeping one's cool
Staying composed when provoked
biting one's tongue · taking it in stride · counting to ten · rolling with the punches · sleeping on it
flying off the handleeven-tempered
Reliably calm disposition
cool-headed · level-headed · unflappable · placid · imperturbable