have a cow
Overreact dramatically to something
To have a cow is to become extremely agitated or upset over something, often disproportionately so: Don't have a cow, it's just a small dent.
The phrase suggests the absurd physical impossibility matches the emotional overreaction.
Popularized by Bart Simpson's catchphrase "Don't have a cow, man," though the expression predates the show.
- flip outLose emotional control suddenly
- go ballisticLose temper violently
- overreactRespond disproportionately to something
- throw a fitDisplay intense angry outburst
- pitch a fitReact with explosive anger
freak out · go crazy · lose it · lose your mind · hit the roof · blow your top · conniption · blow a fuse · fuming · upset · fly off the handle · get bent out of shape · wig out · tantrum · lose one's cool · Bart Simpson · eat my shorts · man
- anger expressionssee red, seeing red, lose your temper, blow a fuse, blow a gasket
have a cowkeep calm
Remain emotionally steady
stay calm · keep one's cool · keep cool · stay cool · chill out
have a cowlet it go
Cease fixating on something
take it easy · roll with the punches · go with the flow · brush it off · water off a duck's back
have, cow, cows, having, calves, cowed, haven't, cowing, calve