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Definitions

fly off the handle

VERB
flip out
Synonyms
WEAK
blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top crack up freak out go ape go ballistic go berserk go crazy go haywire go nuts go off the deep end hit the ceiling lose control of oneself lose it lose one's composure lose one's mind lose one's temper wig out
VERB
freak out
Synonyms
STRONGEST
go crazy lose it
WEAK
blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top break down come unglued crack up flip one's lid flip out go ape go ballistic go bananas go berserk go haywire go nuts go off the deep end hit the ceiling lose control of oneself lose one's composure lose one's cool lose one's mind lose one's temper wig out work oneself up
VERB
go crazy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
freak out go off lose it
WEAK
blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top crack up flip one's lid flip out go ballistic go bananas go batty go berserk go bonkers go buggy go cuckoo go daffy go haywire go kooky go loco go loony go mental go nuts go nutty go off one's rocker go off the deep end go off the wall go psycho go wacko go wacky lose control of oneself lose one's cool lose one's mind wig out
VERB
hit the ceiling
Synonyms
WEAK
blow a gasket flip out hit the roof lose one's cool lose one's temper wig out
VERB
rage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blow up boil over erupt rampage roar seethe tear
STRONG
bristle chafe fret fulminate fume overflow rant rave scold scream splutter steam storm surge yell
WEAK
be beside oneself be furious be uncontrollable blow a fuse blow one's top foam at the mouth go berserk have a fit have a tantrum let off steam look daggers make a fuss over rail at rant and rave snap at throw a fit work oneself into sweat
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be calm
STRONG
be quiet compliment flatter praise
WEAK
be happy
VERB
snap
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flash roar yell
STRONG
bark flare growl grumble grunt retort snarl snort vent
WEAK
get angry jump down throat lash out take it out on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was estranged from many members of his family, with one saying he would "fly off the handle at anything".

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025

That doesn’t mean I don’t fly off the handle at times.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2021

It's difficult to be a director and fly off the handle.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2021

He is more than ready to move forward, as feisty, as fiery and as occasionally prone to fly off the handle as he has ever been.

From New York Times • Mar. 14, 2018

“Bri, let me ask you something. Promise not to fly off the handle, okay?”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas