going postal
Violent workplace breakdown
Going postal means suddenly becoming violently angry, especially in a workplace setting.
The phrase emerged in the 1990s after a series of mass shootings by U.S.
Postal Service employees.
It now applies broadly to any explosive rage: My boss went postal when he saw the sales numbers.
The term has softened through overuse, sometimes describing ordinary anger rather than genuine violence.
- snappingBreaking with sharp sound
- losing itMental composure collapsing
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- overworkToil to exhaustion
- rageIntense, violent anger
losing your mind · seeing red · homicide · breaking point · pushed too far · burnout · blowing up · alienation · assault · retaliation · grievance · rampage · violent outburst · workplace violence · harassment · meltdown · flipping out · frustration
going postalkeeping one's cool
Staying composed when provoked
keeping it together · unflappable · cool as a cucumber · collected · serene
going postaltaking it in stride
grinning and bearing it · suffering in silence · rolling with the punches · keeping the peace · restraint
going postalkeeping one's cool
Staying composed when provoked
taking it in stride · equanimity · sangfroid · stoicism · mellowing out
goes, gone, going, post, posts, postal, postage, postman, postmaster