informal. : to lose control of one’s emotions : to become very angry He tends to fly off the handle when people disagree with him.
Where does the expression fly off the handle come from?
The phrase was originated in America, and it alludes to a loose axe-head, flies off from its handle swiftly while hitting on the wood. … The phrase was first found in print in The Attaché; or, Sam Slick in England by Thomas C. Haliburton in 1843. “He flies right off the handle for nothing.”
Are flying off the shelves?
To sell very quickly, as though the items in question cannot be kept on store shelves. Good luck finding that doll between now and Christmas—it’s been flying off the shelves.
What is a sentence of fly off the handle?
get very angry and fly into a rage. 1. He flew off the handle at the slightest thing. 2. He’s extremely irritable – he flies off the handle at the slightest thing.What does getting cold feet mean?
Definition of cold feet : apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action.
Why am I flying off the handle?
Fly off the handle means to become enraged, especially suddenly. The phrase connotes irrationality. One who flies off the handle isn’t thinking clearly and is likely to regret it later, other verb forms are flew off the handle and flying off the handle.
What does the idiom pie in the sky mean?
: an unrealistic enterprise or prospect of prosperity.
What is the meaning of the idiom above board?
/əˈbʌv bɔːrd/ If a plan or business agreement is above board, it is honest and not trying to deceive anyone: The deal was completely open and above board. Honesty, openness & sincerity. (as) man to man idiom.What is the meaning of completely at sea?
Someone who’s at sea is completely lost or deeply confused. … The phrase at sea — or all at sea — has a nautical source: before modern navigational systems, when a ship was at sea, it was out of sight of land and therefore in a dangerous, uncertain position.
What is the meaning of open a whole new can of worms?Definition of open a can of worms : to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn’t want to open a can of worms.
Article first time published onWhat is the meaning of the idiom cold shoulder?
“Cold shoulder” is a phrase used to express dismissal or the act of disregarding someone. Its origin is attributed to Sir Walter Scott in a work published in 1816, which is in fact a mistranslation of an expression from the Vulgate Bible.
What is having second thoughts about?
To reconsider something; to begin to doubt a previous determination or commitment to something.
What does blowing your own trumpet mean?
Definition of blow one’s own trumpet British, informal. : to talk about oneself or one’s achievements especially in a way that shows that one is proud or too proud He had a very successful year and has every right to blow his own trumpet.
What is the meaning of kicked the bucket?
To kick the bucket is an English idiom, considered a euphemistic, informal, or slang term meaning “to die”.
What does it mean to stick your head in the sand?
Definition of head-in-the-sand : unwilling to recognize or acknowledge a problem or situation the government’s usual head-in-the-sand response.
Why do some people lose their temper more than others?
What causes anger issues? Many things can trigger anger, including stress, family problems, and financial issues. For some people, anger is caused by an underlying disorder, such as alcoholism or depression. Anger itself isn’t considered a disorder, but anger is a known symptom of several mental health conditions.
What is explosive behavior?
Intermittent explosive disorder involves repeated, sudden episodes of impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior or angry verbal outbursts in which you react grossly out of proportion to the situation.
Does everyone have a temper?
The bottom line. Having a temper from time to time is a normal part of being human. When anger comes on at the drop of a pin, though, it can cause chaos in your relationships, health, and overall well-being.
What is the meaning of hitting below the belt?
See synonyms for hit below the belt on Thesaurus.com. To say something that is often too personal, usually irrelevant, and always unfair: “To remind reformed alcoholics of their drinking problem is to hit below the belt.” The expression comes from boxing, in which it is illegal to hit an opponent below the belt.
What is the meaning of took to his heels?
: to begin to run away They took to their heels when they saw the policeman approaching.
What does the term sail close to the wind mean?
Definition of sail close to the wind British. : to do something that is dangerous or that may be illegal or dishonest The company was sailing close to the wind, but it’s not clear if they were actually breaking the law.
What is the meaning of to make clean breast of?
: to speak openly and honestly about (something that previously has been lied about or kept secret) I decided to make a clean breast of it/things and admit that I was to blame.
What is the definition of throw in the towel?
To quit in defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, in which a fighter indicates surrender by throwing a towel into the ring: “After losing the election, he threw in the towel on his political career.”
What does play the second fiddle mean?
Definition of second fiddle : one that plays a supporting or subservient role.
What does I should keep my eye on the ball mean?
Definition of keep one’s eye on the ball informal. : to continue thinking about or giving attention to something important : to stay focused She really needs to keep her eye on the ball if she wants to win the election.
What does scratching the surface mean?
phrase. If you only scratch the surface of a subject or problem, you find out or do a small amount, but not enough to understand or solve it. We have barely begun to scratch the surface of the possibilities of new technology. [ + of]
What is hard to swallow meaning?
(also hard to take) difficult to believe or accept: He said the news that the farm was being sold was hard to swallow at first.
What does skeletons in the closet mean?
Definition of skeletons in the/someone’s closet : something bad or embarrassing that happened in someone’s past and that is kept secret He asked if she had any skeletons in her closet that might affect her political campaign.
What does half heart mean?
Definition of half-hearted : lacking heart, spirit, or interest a half-hearted effort halfhearted applause.
What is the meaning of to be full of beans?
informal. 1 : full of energy and life We were young and full of beans. 2 US : not correct or truthful : full of nonsense If that’s what he’s been saying, then he’s full of beans.
Is it normal to have second thoughts about marriage?
Second thoughts about marriage can mean you’re taking it seriously. “Once you find the one, you’ll know” is a sweet sentiment, but adult relationships can look a lot more complicated than that. … So these second thoughts about marriage can be totally normal.
