have kittens
Lose one's composure
To have kittens is to become extremely agitated, anxious, or upset—typically over something minor or in exaggerated fashion.
British and somewhat old-fashioned: My mother will have kittens when she sees this mess.
The image suggests producing something small but numerous from internal distress.
Also *have a cow* in American English.
React with extreme alarm
- lose itSuccumb to overwhelming emotion
- flip outLose emotional control suddenly
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- hysteriaUncontrollable emotional excess
frenzy · alarm · distress · agitation · fluster · tizzy · conniption · fit
Strikingly expressive or sudden
- exaggerateOverstate beyond truth
- blowupSudden fit of rage
- escalateIncrease in severity
- overstateRepresent as greater
overwrought · sensationalize · overplay · overkill · uproar · histrionics · theatrics · melodrama
Violent sudden disturbance
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
- consternationAnxious amazement causing paralysis
- indignationAnger from mistreatment
- outrageFierce moral indignation
scandalized · appalled · horrified · aghast · disbelief · gasp · taken aback · offended
freak out
React with extreme alarm
- lose itSuccumb to overwhelming emotion
- flip outLose emotional control suddenly
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
hysteria · frenzy · alarm · distress · agitation · fluster · tizzy · conniption · fit · apoplexy
dramatic
Strikingly expressive or sudden
- exaggerateOverstate beyond truth
- blowupSudden fit of rage
- escalateIncrease in severity
overstate · overwrought · sensationalize · overplay · overkill · uproar · histrionics · theatrics · melodrama · make a scene
shock
Violent sudden disturbance
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
- consternationAnxious amazement causing paralysis
- indignationAnger from mistreatment
outrage · scandalized · appalled · horrified · aghast · disbelief · gasp · taken aback · offended · upset
have kittenskeep calm
Remain emotionally steady
stay calm · keep one's cool · stay cool · keep one's head · keep it together
have kittensshrug it off
brush it off · underreact · play it cool · take it easy · roll with it
have, kitten, kitty, having, kittens, have a fit, have a cow