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Glite Dictionary
to go on the rampage

to go on the rampage

1 7.5
To act violently and destroy things without control
  • phrasal verb
  • NSFW
translation icon : desatarse
  • When Luigi's body was found ten kilometers further on, his gens du voyage community (nomads of various origins, some now sedentary) went on the rampage.

Examples

  • Following the controversial decision, the fans started to go on the rampage, demonstrating their displeasure by vandalizing the stadium.

  • It's the first thing I thought about saying when you went on the rampage.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Nevertheless, I think there have been a few people who "got it right" over the centuries, and of those, none better than the ones trying to survive the first century AD who predicted there would come a time in the future when a power of unspeakable barbarity would rise up and go on the rampage, destroying all that was good.

    Blog text (26)

  • The angry mob began to go on the rampage, destroying cars and breaking windows in their path.

  • After losing the final game, the players from the losing team went on the rampage, smashing locker doors and throwing equipment.

Synonyms

to run wild
vsto go on the rampage
33 3.9

Act without control or limits

is specifically violent and destructive not just uncontrolled development
to go berserk
vsto go on the rampage
  • Informal
27 7.7

To become very angry and act out of control

is more about physical violence and destruction than anger alone
to riot
vsto go on the rampage
26 4.9

To join a violent crowd and damage property or fight police

is broader applying to violent uncontrolled acts beyond public group disturbance
to thrash
vsto go on the rampage
24 5.8

Move or swing violently without control

is violent destructive behaving rather than mere uncontrolled physical motion
to go ballistic
vsto go on the rampage
  • Informal
22 7.5

Suddenly become very angry

is sustained violent destructive behavior rather than a sudden angry reaction
to run amok
vsto go on the rampage
20 7.5

To act wildly and cause chaos

is focused on violent destructive behavior rather than mere disorder
to run rampant
vsto go on the rampage
15 5.7

To spread quickly, get out of control, and cause harm

is active violent destruction rather than uncontrolled spread or growth
to go bananas
vsto go on the rampage
  • Informal
8 8.1

To lose control because you are very excited or angry

is violent destructive conduct rather than high excitement or anger
to run riot
vsto go on the rampage
2 5.8

Behave in a wild way without control

is more about violent destructive action rather than general uncontrolled behavior
to go nuclear
vsto go on the rampage
  • Informal
2 8.3

To become extremely angry and shout or act violently

is uncontrolled violent harming rather than a strong targeted reaction
to go batshit
vsto go on the rampage
  • Offensive
2 9.9

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

is focused on violent destructive action rather than emotional disorder
to go shitnuts
vsto go on the rampage
  • Offensive
9.9

To suddenly become very angry or upset without control

is violent uncontrolled behavior rather than sudden angry upset

Antonyms

to behave
747 1.0

To act in a proper or polite way

to calm down
  • Informal
594 1.4

To become less angry, excited, or upset

How Violent

to go on the rampage
  • NSFW
1 7.5
to go berserk
  • Informal
27 7.7
attack
548 3.2
to lash out
71 5.6

Surface Forms

go on the rampage infinitive
went on the rampage past
gone on the rampage past participle
going on the rampage present participle
goes on the rampage third person singular

Morphology

go + on + the + rampage

The noun 'rampage' already means uncontrolled violent behavior and the verb phrase 'go on' indicates entering or starting a state; together they straightforwardly mean 'begin to behave violently.' This is a regular compositional pattern (go on + [state/event]) and is cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Go on the rampage paints a picture of a furious animal or person running through a place and smashing things. Because 'rampage' suggests wild, violent running and destruction, to go on the rampage means 'to behave violently and destroy things'.