🗓️ Idiom: Fly Off the Handle (v)
💬 Meaning
- To suddenly become very angry.
- To lose your temper without warning.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The office manager flew off the handle when he found out the report was submitted late.
- A customer flew off the handle after waiting too long for support.
- She tries to stay calm, but she sometimes flies off the handle when plans change suddenly.
🏛️ Origin
This idiom comes from the early 1800s in the United States. It referred to poorly made axe heads that could suddenly fly off the wooden handle when used. Because this happened quickly and dangerously, the phrase became linked to people who get angry very suddenly.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
The client __________ when he saw the extra charges on the invoice.
Answer
flew off the handle
2. Multiple choice:
What does “fly off the handle” mean?
A. To avoid making a decision
B. To suddenly get very angry
C. To slowly calm down
Answer
B To suddenly get very angry
3. Change the sentence using “fly off the handle”:
“She suddenly became very angry during the team meeting.”
Answer
She flew off the handle during the team meeting.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
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👉 Idioms for Complaints
👉 Business English Idioms List
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
