saw red
Became absolutely furious
Saw red is the past tense of see red, meaning to become suddenly and intensely angry.
The image is of rage so overwhelming it colors your vision: When he insulted her family, she saw red.
The phrase suggests loss of rational control—anger that bypasses thought.
- boil overSpill when heated
- white hotHeated to luminescence
- blind rageUncontrolled, unseeing anger
- blood boilingState of extreme fury
- lose one's coolBecome visibly upset
hit the roof · hit the ceiling · blow a fuse · blow a gasket · fury · wrath · lose one's temper · flip out · go ballistic · rage · fly off the handle · mad as hell · snap · indignation · hot-headedness · short fuse · lost it · resentment
behavioral response to provocation
saw redlet it go
Cease fixating on something
bit one's tongue · rolled with the punches · kept one's powder dry · held one's peace · forgave and forgot