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Glite Dictionary
to fly off the handle

to fly off the handle

11 6.8
To suddenly become very angry
  • idiom
  • /flaɪ ɔf ðə ˈhændl/
  • Informal
translation icon : perder los estribos
  • So, try to remain professional and not fly off the handle at those not raving about your work or thoughts.
  • Sorry I flew off the handle
  • fly off the handle on occasion
  • fly off the handle too easily

He will fly off the handle for a second, but it's mostly for theatrics.

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Examples

Synonyms

to lose it
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
289 7.5

Suddenly stop controlling your feelings and become very angry or upset

is a quick explosive anger rather than slow frustration build
to explode
vsto fly off the handle
187 3.5

To suddenly show a strong feeling, often anger

is sudden anger that typically involves anger rather than other emotions
to flip
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
143 7.5

To suddenly become very angry, excited, or surprised

is sudden anger focused on strong anger rather than other emotions
to flip out
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
49 7.2

To suddenly lose control and become very angry or upset

is sudden anger usually without the excited or surprised element
to go ballistic
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
22 7.5

Suddenly become very angry

is sudden anger but sometimes less extreme than furious outbursts
to throw a tantrum
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
18 4.4

To show sudden strong anger or upset, often like a child

is sudden anger but not necessarily childish or theatrical
to blow up
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
16 4.7

To suddenly become very angry and lose control

is sudden anger but may not always be loudly shown
to have a fit
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
16 5.3

To suddenly become very angry or upset and show it strongly

is sudden anger but often less dramatic or childish
to throw a fit
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
12 6.1

To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way

is sudden anger but not always so theatrical or dramatic
to see red
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
10 6.8

To become very angry suddenly

is sudden anger focused on intense fury rather than calm upset
to fly off
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
7 5.3

To suddenly get very angry without warning

emphasizes strong anger rather than milder upset
to boil over
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
7 4.8

To suddenly lose control and show strong anger

is a quick outburst rather than a slow simmer ending
to froth at the mouth
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
5 8.6

To be extremely angry and unable to control oneself

is sudden anger but often less wildly uncontrollable or violent
to hit the roof
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
4 6.7

To suddenly become very angry

is sudden anger but can be less intensely furious
to hit the ceiling
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
3 6.8

To suddenly get very angry

is sudden anger but may be less intense or obvious
to lose one's temper
vsto fly off the handle
2 3.7

To suddenly become very angry and not be able to control yourself

is more sudden and explosive rather than gradual anger
to blow one's stack
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
2 8.6

Suddenly get very angry and show it

is sudden anger but sometimes less extreme or visible
to go batshit
vsto fly off the handle
  • Offensive
2 9.9

To become very angry and act in a wild, out of control way

is sudden anger but usually calmer and less irrational
to blow a fuse
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
1 7.4

To suddenly become very angry

is sudden anger but sometimes less intensely enraged
to pop off
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
1 8.1

To suddenly say something angry without warning

is sudden anger but does not always involve speaking out
to go off on one
vsto fly off the handle
  • UK
1 9.9

To suddenly get very angry and speak loudly for a long time

is sudden anger but usually shorter and less prolonged
to flip your lid
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
1 8.6

To suddenly become very angry and lose control

is sudden anger but sometimes expressed more calmly or briefly
to flip shit
vsto fly off the handle
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To suddenly become very angry

is sudden anger but less crude in tone and language
to blow one's top
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
8.0

To suddenly become very angry

is sudden anger that can be less visibly dramatic
to lose one's cool
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
5.9

To suddenly become very angry and fail to control your feelings

is milder and often less intense than explosive eruptions
to lose one's shit
vsto fly off the handle
  • Offensive
9.9

To suddenly become very angry or upset in a way you cannot control

is similar but expressed in milder or more polite language
to throw a wobbly
vsto fly off the handle
  • UK
9.9

To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way

is sudden anger but often less theatrical or exaggerated
to throw wobblies
vsto fly off the handle
  • Slang
9.9

To have a sudden angry outburst like a child's tantrum

is sudden anger but can be more adult and less exaggerated
to throw a snit
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
8.7

To suddenly become very angry or upset and act childishly

is sudden anger but often stronger and more forceful
to have kittens
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
8.8

Become very upset or angry in a way that is too strong

is sudden anger focused on fury rather than anxious worry
to flip one's lid
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
9.1

To become suddenly very angry and lose control

is sudden anger but can be less visible or loud
to flip one's wig
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
9.9

To suddenly become very angry and lose control of yourself

is sudden anger but may be less extreme or informal
to flip the bitch switch
vsto fly off the handle
  • Offensive
9.9

To suddenly become very angry and behave in a mean way

is sudden anger but not always meant to be aggressive
to hit the bitch switch
vsto fly off the handle
  • Offensive
9.9

To suddenly become very angry and act aggressive

is sudden anger but may be less focused on aggression
to radge over
vsto fly off the handle
  • UK
9.9

Get very angry or upset about small things

is sudden anger but usually reserved for more serious triggers
to burst a blood vessel
vsto fly off the handle
  • Informal
6.9

To become very angry or upset in a way people notice

is sudden anger but typically less physically visible or dramatic

Antonyms

to keep it together
  • Informal
27 5.4

To stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

to keep one's temper
1 4.4

Stay calm and not get angry in a difficult situation

How Angry

to go ballistic
  • Informal
22 7.5
to fly off the handle
  • Informal
11 6.8
annoyed
77 1.0

Surface Forms

fly off the handle infinitive
flying off the handle present participle
flies off the handle third person singular
flew off the handle past
flown off the handle past participle

Morphology

fly + off + the + handle

The idiomatic meaning 'to suddenly become very angry' is not directly derivable from the literal parts: 'fly' (move quickly), 'off', and 'handle' (a part you grip). The expression relies on a metaphorical/schematic image (loss of control) that is not transparently signalled by the constituents and is unpredictable to a B1 learner who has not seen the phrase before.

Etymology

The phrase fly off the handle comes from old tools like axes, where the heavy head could sometimes fly off the wooden handle when someone swung it, a sudden and dangerous movement. So it now means 'to suddenly become very angry' or 'lose your temper'.