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Meaning: To fly into a rage; to lose one's temper suddenly and violently.

Language: French

Literally: To come off its hinges

Category: Daily Life

Origin: In use since the 17th century, picturing a door wrenched so hard it comes off its hinges.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • Jeter le bébé avec l'eau du bain — To discard something valuable while getting rid of what's unwanted.
  • Pédaler dans la semoule — To be confused and getting nowhere.
  • Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter — To have more important things to do.
  • Avoir le cul entre deux chaises — To be indecisive, caught between two options.
  • Les carottes sont cuites — It's too late, nothing can be done.
  • Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof — I don't understand anything at all.

More French idioms

  • Reprendre du poil de la bête — To recover one's strength or spirit after a setback; to bounce back.
  • Arriver comme un cheveu sur la soupe — To show up at a completely inopportune, awkward moment.
  • C'est l'hôpital qui se fout de la charité — Said when someone criticizes another for a flaw they share themselves; the pot calling th…
  • Ça ne casse pas trois pattes à un canard — It's nothing special or impressive.
  • C'est comme pisser dans un violon — A completely pointless effort.
  • Avoir le cafard — To feel depressed or down.

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