mad as a hornet

Idioms and Phrases

Also, mad as hell or hops or a wet hen . Very angry, enraged as in Mary was mad as a hornet when her purse was stolen , or Upset? Dan was mad as hell , or The teacher was mad as a wet hen . The use of mad for “angry” dates from about 1300, but these similes are of much more recent vintage (1800s, early 1900s). The allusions to a hornet , which can launch a fierce attack, and hell , with its furious fires, are more obvious than the other variants. Mad as hops was first recorded in 1884 and is thought to have been the writer's version of hopping mad ; mad as a wet hen , first recorded in 1823, is puzzling, since hens don't really mind water.

Example Sentences

I was just mad as a hornet because I knew what was wrong with the car and they wouldn’t let me do anything about it.

From Literature

On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host spoke briefly about Trump’s relationship with Putin, a debate that has the reality TV star turned president “mad as a hornet”.

From The Guardian

“I’m going to dust my knees off, dry my tears and continue the fight, but I’m mad as a hornet.”

From Washington Times

“Mother was mad as a hornet,” said Olive Tarbell.

From Washington Times

Gibbon said, “He lost half his strength. Most of them got taken prisoner. He’s mad as a hornet, lookin’ for somebody to blame it on.

From Literature

Related Words

• enraged
• furious
• seething
• stormy
• turbulent