General
fly off the handle
What does fly off the handle mean?
To erupt in anger without warning, like an axe head flying loose.
"Don't fly off the handle before you hear the whole story."
Origin
American idiom, 1800s; from an axe head coming loose and flying off its handle.
Frequently asked questions
What does "fly off the handle" mean?
It means to lose your temper suddenly—to erupt in anger without warning.
How do you use "fly off the handle"?
Use it as a verb phrase, as in "Don't fly off the handle before you hear the whole story."
Where does "fly off the handle" come from?
It's an American idiom from the 1800s, drawn from an axe head coming loose and flying off its handle.
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