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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Blow a fuse

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

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To become very angry.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. He blew a fuse when he discovered that the booking had been cancelled.

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 become very angry.
Show the answer

Blow a fuse — To become very angry.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Blow a fuse” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To become very angry.

Compare: He blew a fuse when he discovered that the booking had been cancelled.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it informally for a strong angry reaction. Cambridge labels this figurative expression old-fashioned.

More examples in context

  • I nearly blew a fuse after entering the same details for the fifth time.
  • She took a moment outside rather than blow a fuse in front of the group.

Usage note

The past tense is blew a fuse. The words can also refer literally to an electrical problem; a person as the subject usually signals the anger meaning.

A short conversation

A: How did the organiser react to the missing equipment?
B: He blew a fuse at first, then calmed down and found a replacement.
A: I am glad they could still run the session.

One more practice question

What does “She blew a fuse over the mistake” mean?

A. She calmly ignored it and felt no annoyance.
B. She became very angry about it.

Check your answer

B. The idiom describes anger rather than an electrical fault.

Related lessons

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

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