Go ballistic Meaning in English
expression
ˈɡoʊ/ /bəˈɫɪstɪk
GOH buh-LIS-tik
ɡˈəʊ/ /bɐlˈɪstɪk
guh-OH bul-IS-tik
Definition
To suddenly become extremely angry or lose one’s temper.
Usage & Nuances
This is a very informal expression. Commonly used in casual speech to describe someone reacting with extreme anger, often more dramatically than expected. Not literal—no connection to actual weapons. Often used with 'my mom', 'the boss', or 'he/she will go ballistic'.
Spanish: ponerse como loco - enfurecersePortuguese (BR): ficar furioso - perder a cabeçaPortuguese (PT): ficar furioso - perder a cabeçaChinese (Simplified): 大发雷霆 - 勃然大怒Chinese (Traditional): 大發雷霆 - 勃然大怒Hindi: बहुत गुस्से में आनाArabic: يثور غضباً - يجن جنونهBengali: মাত্তাবিত হওয়া - প্রচণ্ড রেগে যাওয়াRussian: выйти из себя - прийти в бешенствоJapanese: ブチギレる - 激怒するVietnamese: nổi cơn tam bành - nổi điênKorean: 분노하다 - 완전히 화를 내다Turkish: çılgına dönmek - küplere binmekUrdu: بری طرح غصے میں آنا - آپے سے باہر ہوناIndonesian: marah besar - meledak amarah
Example Sentences
My dad will go ballistic if I fail my test.
basic
Don’t go ballistic—it was just a mistake.
basic
She went ballistic when she saw the mess in her room.
basic
The coach went ballistic after the team lost the game in the last minute.
natural
If Mom finds out we broke her lamp, she’ll totally go ballistic.
natural
He doesn’t usually go ballistic, but this time he really lost it.
natural