blow a fuse

Idioms and Phrases

Also, blow a gasket . Lose one's temper, express furious anger. For example, When his paycheck bounced, John blew a fuse , or Tell Mom what really happened before she blows a gasket . An electric fuse is said to “blow” (melt) when the circuit is overloaded, whereas a gasket, used to seal a piston, “blows” (breaks) when the pressure is too high. The first of these slangy terms dates from the 1930s, the second from the 1940s. Also see blow one's top ; keep one's cool .

Example Sentences

Uncle Ty looks ready to blow a fuse.

From Literature

His arms are folded tight and he looks ready to blow a fuse.

From Literature

For many, every “safe!” when the tag is missed, every called strike on a pitch below the knees is one more reason to blow a fuse in a youth sports culture full of hefty fees for league play and travel teams that have already heightened the financial and emotional attachment and encouraged a sense of parents as constituents who have a right to be heeded.

From Washington Times

Burn's challenge on Gabriel in the box caused Mikel Arteta to blow a fuse when the penalty appeal was denied.

From BBC

Mueller’s apparent affirmation that there was “no collusion” creates some space for better relations, but if Trump supporters are Moscow’s only champions, any reset with Russia will blow a fuse.

From Washington Post

Related Words

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