The Idiom Explorer

to lose one's temper in a sudden and angry way

“Mom blew her top when we came home late.”

To become angry and stop controlling one's emotions.

“He lost his temper when the meeting went off track again.”

To make a bad situation or conflict worse.

“When he kept arguing, he only added fuel to the fire.”

To get angry very easily.

“Be careful what you say around him because he has a short fuse.”

To suddenly become very angry.

“She blew a fuse when she heard the news.”

to become very upset or angry

“My sister will have a cow if she sees this mess.”

to annoy or bother someone deeply

“His constant complaining really gets under my skin.”

To become wildly angry.

“The coach went ballistic after the team lost their focus.”

To speak to someone very angrily or harshly.

“Sorry I bit your head off earlier, I was stressed.”

to refuse to back down in an argument or conflict

“She stood her ground during the meeting.”

In a state of constant conflict or violent argument.

“The two departments were at each other's throats over the budget.”

To annoy someone greatly.

“The constant noise is getting on my nerves.”

To say or do things that make someone angry.

“He knows exactly how to push her buttons during an argument.”

To be in a serious disagreement or struggle.

“The candidates locked horns during the debate.”

to remain firm and not give in

“He held his ground even under pressure.”

To become less angry.

“Lets cool off before we talk about this again.”

To want to talk to someone about a complaint or grievance.

“I have a bone to pick with you about that broken promise.”

to challenge someone publicly for bad behavior

“The editor called him out for the false claim.”

To become less upset or angry.

“Take a breath and calm down before you answer.”

To begin a serious fight or conflict with someone.

“The neighbors went to war over the fence line.”

to criticize someone angrily and at length

“Dad gave me an earful after I missed curfew.”

To be in a state of ongoing conflict or strong opposition.

“The two companies have been at war with each other for years.”

to want to discuss a complaint or disagreement

“I have a bone to pick with you about yesterday.”

To end an argument and become friendly again.

“The siblings fought all afternoon but kissed and made up by dinner.”

To argue or compete fiercely.

“The two senators locked horns over the new policy.”

To argue or compete strongly with someone.

“The editor crossed swords with the reporter over the facts.”

to compete or argue until a winner is decided

“The teams will battle it out in the final round.”

Angry or agitated.

“He got hot under the collar when his plan was rejected.”

To conflict with someone or something.

“His plans clash with hers on almost every issue.”

to refuse to accept an insult or wrong without reacting

“She did not take the criticism lying down.”

to experience the same unpleasant treatment one has given to others

“He bullied others for years, then got a taste of his own medicine.”

To disagree or be in conflict.

“The partners have been at odds over the expansion plan.”

To suddenly lose control of one's anger.

“Try not to fly off the handle when they ask questions.”

To be involved in a serious conflict or struggle.

“The lawyers are locked in a battle over the contract.”

To disagree with or object to something.

“I take issue with the way he handled the meeting.”

to keep feeling anger after a dispute

“I do not hold a grudge, even after our argument.”

To begin fighting, often literally or in organized resistance.

“The rebels threatened to take up arms if talks failed.”

to continue resenting someone

“She still bears a grudge against her former boss.”

To become very angry.

“My dad hit the roof when I missed curfew.”

to show silent anger or frustration

“He just grinded his teeth and kept working.”

To cause trouble or make a conflict worse.

“He likes to stir the pot at every family dinner.”

To refuse to back down in a conflict.

“She stood her ground during the negotiation.”

To avoid conflict and maintain calm.

“She stayed quiet to keep the peace.”

to answer rudely to someone in authority

“The student got in trouble for talking back to the teacher.”

To resist pressure and not retreat.

“Despite criticism, he held his ground on the decision.”

To speak angrily and directly to someone.

“She gave the driver a piece of her mind after the accident.”

to speak angrily and abruptly to someone

“She snapped at me because she was exhausted.”

To end a disagreement and become friendly again.

“The two rivals finally made peace.”

To agree to stop fighting or arguing for a while.

“Let's call a truce and finish the project.”

To cause conflict or problems.

“Dont stir up trouble by repeating rumors.”

to scold someone angrily

“The coach chewed him out for being late.”

To make peace after a disagreement.

“The two sides smoked the peace pipe after long negotiations.”

to criticize someone very harshly

“The critic tore into the film after the premiere.”

To get into trouble, often because of conflict or misconduct.

“He got into hot water after arguing with the supervisor.”

To set a clear limit and refuse to go farther.

“The manager drew a line in the sand about repeated lateness.”

to keep fighting or resisting until the end

“Even after losing support, he went down swinging.”

To leave someone with no easy options in an argument.

“The accusation backed him into a corner.”

to take revenge for a past wrong

“The feud looked like a chance to settle an old score.”

To support one person or side in a conflict.

“I do not want to take sides in their argument.”

To be very angry and looking for a confrontation.

“After the mistake, the editor was on the warpath.”