go ballistic

Idioms and Phrases

Become extremely upset or angry, as in Dad will go ballistic when he sees you dented the new car . This expression, a variation on go berserk , originally alluded to a guided missile going out of control. [ Slang ; mid-1980s]

Example Sentences

NBC reported that in the final days before Trump made the decision, Trump was leaning in the direction of Burgum, causing the boys to go ballistic:

From Salon

"We knew that we had to go ballistic after how they batted. We had to take risks and thankfully they came off," said Bairstow.

From BBC

The extremists went ballistic over this, cornering Johnson on the floor and he eventually shot down the rumor, saying the rule would not be changed.

From Salon

Then, it was Hopkins turn to go ballistic on the bench.

From Seattle Times

Twenty years ago, when the reality about the region’s seismic hazards began to sink in, chambers of commerce in some coastal tourist towns went ballistic.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• freak out
• go off
• lose it