Fly off the handle Meaning in English
expression
ˈfɫaɪ/ /ˈɔf/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈhændəɫ
FLY awf thuh HAN-duhl
flˈaɪ/ /ˈɒf/ /ðə, ði/ /hˈændəl
fly OF thuh HAN-duhl
Definition
To suddenly become very angry, often unexpectedly or without a clear reason.
Usage & Nuances
Informal idiom; commonly refers to someone losing their temper unexpectedly. Often used with 'he', 'she', or someone's name ('She flies off the handle'). Not about physical handles—avoid literal translation. Related to 'lose one’s temper' or 'blow up'.
Spanish: perder los estribos - estallar de repentePortuguese (BR): perder a cabeça - explodirPortuguese (PT): perder a cabeça - explodirChinese (Simplified): 突然发脾气 - 勃然大怒Chinese (Traditional): 突然發脾氣 - 勃然大怒Hindi: गुस्से से फट पड़ना - आपा खो देनाArabic: ينفجر غضبًا - يفقد أعصابهBengali: হঠাৎ রেগে ওঠা - মাথা গরম করাRussian: вспылить - сорватьсяJapanese: かっとなる - 急に怒り出すVietnamese: nổi cơn thịnh nộ - nổi nóng bất ngờKorean: 화를 확 내다 - 욱하다Turkish: birden tepesi atmak - bir anda öfkelenmekUrdu: اچانک غصے میں آ جانا - آپے سے باہر ہو جاناIndonesian: meledak - marah tiba-tiba
Example Sentences
He can fly off the handle if things don't go his way.
basic
Don’t fly off the handle over small problems.
basic
She sometimes flies off the handle when she's tired.
basic
Wow, you really flew off the handle in that meeting!
natural
I try not to fly off the handle, but sometimes stress gets the best of me.
natural
Kids can make you fly off the handle before you even realize it.
natural