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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Fly off the handle

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To suddenly react with intense anger.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. He flew off the handle when he saw the missing booking.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To suddenly react with intense anger.
Show the answer

Fly off the handle — To suddenly react with intense anger.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Fly off the handle” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To suddenly react with intense anger.

Compare: He flew off the handle when he saw the missing booking.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it conversationally when someone loses their temper abruptly. It describes an outburst rather than a calm disagreement.

More examples in context

  • I try to ask what happened before I fly off the handle.
  • She regretted flying off the handle over a small misunderstanding.

Usage note

The past tense is flew off the handle. It focuses on the sudden angry reaction; having a short fuse describes a tendency to react that way easily.

A short conversation

A: How did the manager respond to the mistake?
B: He flew off the handle before anyone could explain.
A: A calmer discussion would have helped.

One more practice question

Which response shows someone flying off the handle?

A. Suddenly shouting angrily after hearing a minor complaint.
B. Calmly asking questions and considering the explanation.

Check your answer

A. The reaction is abrupt and intensely angry.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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