Language is not just about words—it’s about feelings, emotions, and how we share them. Idioms are colorful expressions that give life to our conversations.
They don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they paint vivid pictures that make our speech more interesting and powerful.
When it comes to emotions, especially anger, idioms help us express frustration, rage, irritation, and even mild annoyance in a creative way.
Using idioms for anger can make your English more natural and expressive. Instead of simply saying “I am angry,” you could say “I lost my cool” or “She hit the roof.”
These expressions sound more lively and are often used by native speakers in both daily conversations and storytelling.
Whether you’re writing, speaking, or trying to understand movies and books, knowing idioms about anger will help you connect with real English.
Did You Know?
The English word “anger” comes from the Old Norse word angr, which meant grief or sorrow. Over time, it shifted in meaning to strong displeasure or rage. That’s why many idioms for anger are linked with physical actions—like “blowing up” or “boiling”—because anger is an emotion people often describe with heat, fire, or explosions!
Idioms for Anger
Below are 43+ idioms for anger, grouped into different types for easy learning. Each idiom includes its meaning, an example sentence, similar idioms, and a note on where it’s usually used.
Idioms Showing Explosive Anger
Blow a Fuse
Meaning: To suddenly lose your temper.
Example: When he saw the mess in the kitchen, he blew a fuse.
Similar Idiom: Blow one’s top.
Note: Informal, often used in daily speech.
Hit the Roof
Meaning: To become very angry.
Example: My mom hit the roof when I failed my exams.
Similar Idiom: Hit the ceiling.
Note: Very common in everyday conversations.
Fly Off the Handle
Meaning: To react with sudden anger.
Example: He flew off the handle when someone scratched his new car.
Similar Idiom: Lose your temper.
Note: Informal, casual usage.
Lose Your Cool
Meaning: To stop being calm and get angry.
Example: She tried hard not to lose her cool during the argument.
Similar Idiom: Keep your cool (opposite).
Note: Common in both formal and informal settings.
Go Ballistic
Meaning: To become extremely angry.
Example: The coach went ballistic after the team lost the game.
Similar Idiom: Go berserk.
Note: Informal, often used in American English.
Blow One’s Top
Meaning: To explode with anger.
Example: Dad blew his top when he saw the broken window.
Similar Idiom: Blow a fuse.
Note: Very common in daily speech.
Go Through the Roof
Meaning: To become very angry or furious.
Example: Prices went through the roof, and people went through the roof with frustration!
Similar Idiom: Hit the roof.
Note: Can describe both anger and high increase.
Go Up in Flames
Meaning: To explode in anger or collapse emotionally.
Example: Their friendship went up in flames after a heated fight.
Similar Idiom: Go up in smoke.
Note: Figurative, used in storytelling or writing.
Idioms for Irritation and Annoyance
Get Under Someone’s Skin
Meaning: To annoy or irritate someone deeply.
Example: His constant jokes really got under my skin.
Similar Idiom: Rub the wrong way.
Note: Daily life and informal speech.
Drive Someone Up the Wall
Meaning: To make someone extremely irritated.
Example: The noise from the construction site is driving me up the wall.
Similar Idiom: Drive someone crazy.
Note: Casual and very common.
Rub Someone the Wrong Way
Meaning: To irritate or annoy someone.
Example: Her arrogance rubs me the wrong way.
Similar Idiom: Get on someone’s nerves.
Note: Often used in personal or workplace settings.
Get on Someone’s Nerves
Meaning: To irritate someone.
Example: His whining is getting on my nerves.
Similar Idiom: Annoy someone.
Note: Very commonly used.
Have a Short Fuse
Meaning: To get angry very quickly.
Example: Be careful, he has a short fuse.
Similar Idiom: Hot-headed.
Note: Informal, character description.
Hot Under the Collar
Meaning: To be angry or upset.
Example: She got hot under the collar when criticized.
Similar Idiom: Lose your temper.
Note: Often used humorously.
Bite Someone’s Head Off
Meaning: To speak angrily or harshly.
Example: I just asked a question, no need to bite my head off!
Similar Idiom: Snap at someone.
Note: Informal.
Cross as Two Sticks
Meaning: Extremely angry.
Example: She was as cross as two sticks when her phone broke.
Similar Idiom: Mad as a hornet.
Note: Mostly British English.
Idioms Describing Silent or Hidden Anger
Stew in One’s Own Juice
Meaning: To suffer because of one’s anger or mistakes.
Example: He was left to stew in his own juice after insulting his boss.
Similar Idiom: Reap what you sow.
Note: Often used in storytelling or lessons.
Bite Your Tongue
Meaning: To stop yourself from speaking angrily.
Example: She had to bite her tongue to avoid shouting.
Similar Idiom: Hold your tongue.
Note: Useful in polite or formal advice.
Keep a Lid On It
Meaning: To control your anger.
Example: He kept a lid on it despite the insults.
Similar Idiom: Keep your cool.
Note: Often used in work settings.
Bottle Up Your Anger
Meaning: To hide or suppress anger.
Example: Don’t bottle up your anger; talk about it.
Similar Idiom: Keep it inside.
Note: Informal, personal discussions.
Seethe with Anger
Meaning: To be filled with hidden anger.
Example: He was seething with anger but said nothing.
Similar Idiom: Fume silently.
Note: Used in writing and descriptive language.
Swallow Your Pride
Meaning: To control anger and accept something.
Example: He had to swallow his pride and apologize.
Similar Idiom: Bite your tongue.
Note: Often used in formal or professional situations.
Idioms for Extreme or Funny Expressions of Anger
Mad as a Hornet
Meaning: Extremely angry.
Example: She was mad as a hornet after being ignored.
Similar Idiom: Angry as a bear.
Note: Informal, daily speech.
Sick to the Back Teeth
Meaning: Extremely fed up or annoyed.
Example: I’m sick to the back teeth with his excuses.
Similar Idiom: Had enough.
Note: More British English.
Go Ape
Meaning: To become very angry or excited.
Example: He went ape when he heard the bad news.
Similar Idiom: Go bananas.
Note: Informal and funny.
Go Berserk
Meaning: To lose control in anger.
Example: The crowd went berserk after the referee’s decision.
Similar Idiom: Go wild.
Note: Informal.
Foam at the Mouth
Meaning: To be extremely angry.
Example: He was foaming at the mouth after the insult.
Similar Idiom: Red with rage.
Note: Figurative, strong emotion.
Red with Rage
Meaning: Face showing extreme anger.
Example: She was red with rage after the betrayal.
Similar Idiom: See red.
Note: Common in writing or description.
See Red
Meaning: To become very angry suddenly.
Example: I saw red when I caught him lying.
Similar Idiom: Blow a fuse.
Note: Daily life usage.
Spit Blood
Meaning: To be very angry.
Example: The teacher was spitting blood after the prank.
Similar Idiom: Spit nails.
Note: Informal, strong anger.
Spit Nails
Meaning: To be extremely angry.
Example: He was spitting nails after the meeting.
Similar Idiom: Spit blood.
Note: North American usage.
Bang Your Head Against a Brick Wall
Meaning: To feel angry because nothing changes.
Example: Talking to him is like banging my head against a brick wall.
Similar Idiom: Frustrated effort.
Note: Figurative frustration.
Burn with Anger
Meaning: To feel deep anger inside.
Example: She burned with anger but stayed silent.
Similar Idiom: Seethe with anger.
Note: Used in writing, storytelling.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms like “lose your cool” or “see red” when chatting with friends to sound more natural.
- Writing: In essays, stories, or emails, idioms such as “bottle up anger” or “burn with anger” can add emotion and style.
- Professional Settings: Be careful—idioms are informal. Use lighter ones like “keep a lid on it” or “bite your tongue” in workplace conversations.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong usage: ❌ He blew his cool.
✅ Correct: He lost his cool. - Mixing idioms: ❌ She was red with fuse.
✅ Correct: She was red with rage. - Literal meaning mistake: ❌ Thinking “bite your tongue” means actually biting your tongue.
✅ Correct: It means stopping yourself from speaking in anger.
FAQs
1. Why are idioms for anger important to learn?
They make your English more natural, expressive, and close to how native speakers talk.
2. Can I use anger idioms in professional English?
Some yes, some no. Use polite ones like “bite your tongue” but avoid harsh ones like “spit nails” at work.
3. Are these idioms British or American?
Both! Some are more British (like “sick to the back teeth”), others are American (like “spit nails”).
4. Do people still use these idioms today?
Yes. Many of them are common in conversations, movies, and books.
5. How can I practice idioms?
Try using 1–2 new idioms in your conversations daily. Write short sentences with them.
Conclusion
Anger is a universal emotion, and English idioms make it colorful, sharp, and easy to describe. From explosive expressions like blow a fuse to silent ones like bottle up anger, these idioms bring depth to your language.
By practicing them in speaking and writing, you’ll not only improve your English but also sound more fluent and natural.
Next time you’re annoyed, instead of just saying “I’m angry,” try out one of these idioms—you’ll see how much more expressive your English becomes!
