go berserk

Idioms and Phrases

Erupt in furious rage, become crazily violent. For example, When they announced the gymnast's score, her coach went berserk . This expression is believed to allude to the name of Norse warriors renowned for their ferocity in battle and for wearing no armor but a bearskin shirt (or berserkar ). [Late 1800s] Also see go ape .

Example Sentences

Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, said a few days ago he wanted Israel to "go berserk" in response to Iran's attack.

From BBC

One said the Israelis needed to "go berserk".

From BBC

One of them said Israel should "go berserk".

From BBC

"People can simply go berserk because they're being treated like dispensable meat which deserves no sympathy. And this attitude is in reality not uncommon," the account calling itself the Grey Zone Philologist said.

From BBC

They don’t just suddenly snap and go berserk and just so happen to have an AR-15 in the trunk of their car for such an occasion.

From Slate

Related Words

• blow up
• boil over
• erupt
• rampage
• roar
• seethe
• tear