go ballistic
Lose all composure
Go ballistic means to become extremely angry or lose control emotionally: When she found out about the charges, she went ballistic.
The phrase borrows from missile terminology—a ballistic trajectory is unguided after launch, suggesting rage that's been set off and can no longer be controlled.
- hit the roofBecome extremely angry suddenly
- flip outLose emotional control suddenly
- lose itSuccumb to overwhelming emotion
- throw a fitDisplay intense angry outburst
- fly off the handleLose temper suddenly
go through the roof · blow a fuse · explode · go postal · rage · see red · tantrum · freak out · boil over · fury · blow a gasket · lose one's cool · go ape · blow up · snap · go off the deep end · throw a tantrum · emotional
- anger expressionssee red, seeing red, lose your temper, blow a fuse, blow a gasket
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- overreactfreak out, panic, explode, blow up, meltdown
- ragerage, fury, wrath, enraged, furious
- outburstsoutburst, burst, eruption, tantrum, meltdown
emotional control
go ballisticstay calm
Remain unruffled
keep one's cool · keep one's head · bite one's tongue · grin and bear it · turn the other cheek