having a cow
Freaking out completely
Having a cow means reacting with excessive anger, anxiety, or agitation—making a big fuss over something: Don't have a cow, it's just a small dent.
The phrase suggests the absurd impossibility of the physical act to emphasize how overblown the reaction is.
Popularized by Bart Simpson's catchphrase "Don't have a cow, man."
- blow-upSudden fit of rage
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- pitch a fitReact with explosive anger
- flipping outLosing emotional control suddenly
throwing a fit · losing it · losing your mind · hissy fit · freak-out · going ballistic · rant · lash out · snap · overreaction · storm off · freaking out · apoplectic · seeing red · conniption · making a scene · hitting the roof · off the deep end
emotional composure
having a cowkeeping cool
keeping one's cool · chilling out · taking it in stride · keeping it together · rolling with the punches