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

At the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere in London this week, Hugh Jackman predicted: "This place is going to go ballistic on Sunday. England is going to win 3-1."

From BBC

"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

If Biden said, "I want to be a dictator," the right would go ballistic, as they should.

From Salon

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

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• freak out
• go off
• lose it