Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to scream one's head off

to scream one's head off

3 6.5
Make a very loud, long cry because you feel afraid, excited, or upset
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : gritar a todo pulmón
  • The crowd began to scream their heads off as the concert started.
  • started screaming one's head off

Examples

Synonyms

to scream
vsto scream one's head off
∞ 1.0

To make a loud high cry because of fear or pain

is louder and lasts longer, often extreme and prolonged
to yell
vsto scream one's head off
∞ 1.0

To shout loudly because you feel strong pain, anger or excitement

is higher and more prolonged rather than plain loud shouting
to cry out
vsto scream one's head off
108 1.8

Shout loudly to show a strong feeling, for example when surprised or hurt

is sustained and much louder over time rather than a quick sound
to screech
vsto scream one's head off
86 4.0

To make a loud, high, sharp sound that startles people

is held longer and feels more intensely loud than a harsh noise
to shriek
vsto scream one's head off
72 2.9

To make a loud high sound often because of fear, pain or excitement

is more prolonged and extreme rather than brief sharp cries
to howl
vsto scream one's head off
48 2.6

To give a long loud cry because of pain, grief, or anger

is more intensely loud and sustained rather than only long
to scream bloody murder
vsto scream one's head off
  • NSFW
9 8.2

Shout very loudly to show pain, anger or strong protest

is similarly loud but typically sustained for a longer time
to let out a scream
vsto scream one's head off
1 2.1

To make a loud sudden cry because you are scared, hurt, or surprised

is prolonged and extremely loud rather than a single sudden cry
to skreigh
vsto scream one's head off
9.9

Make a sudden loud harsh cry from fear or pain

is more sustained and prolonged rather than abrupt and sudden
to skreak
vsto scream one's head off
9.9

To make a loud, high, harsh sound like a scream

is louder and maintained longer rather than a brief screech

Antonyms

to whisper
586 1.0

To speak very quietly using only breath so one person can hear

How Loud

to scream one's head off
  • Informal
3 6.5
to scream
∞ 1.0
to shout
644 1.0
to murmur
11 4.2

Surface Forms

scream one's head off infinitive
screamed one's head off past
screamed one's head off past participle
screaming one's head off present participle
screams one's head off third person singular

Morphology

scream + one's + head + off

The verb 'scream' supplies the core action, and the fragment 'one's head off' is a recognizably hyperbolic intensifier rather than a literal event, so a learner can infer that it means screaming very loudly/for a long time. However the specific figurative phrasing (removing one's head) is metaphorical and not fully predictable from the parts, and some nuance (duration/intensity) may require prior exposure. For these reasons it is best classified as partially transparent.

Etymology

Scream one's head off may come from a simple picture: someone screaming so loudly and for so long that their head seems ready to come off. So it now means 'to scream very loudly for a long time'.