Using the correct expression to describe anger can be challenging. This article lists phrases and idioms to help you write better.
Express Anger With Idioms and Phrases
Writers get stumped when it comes to expressing anger in fiction. They think avoiding idiomatic or phrasal expressions is correct because of overuse or cliché. Sometimes, the expressions reveal the proper meaning and are suitable.
Most idioms and phrases documented by well-known writers originate on the streets or in the countryside.
Imagine, “send him packing” means telling someone to leave or go away because of anger or annoyance. This idiom comes from Shakespeare. He documented many idiomatic phrases from the streets, as did other writers.
Examples of Idiomatic Phrases
The writer needs to help the reader visualize why the character is angry without resorting to a startling revelation, such as the character pounding his fist into the door or scratching out his eyes.
Characters in novels get mad, and the best way to show anger is in action.
A writer uses dialogue to show anger as well. A character can speak effectively using an idiom, as in movies. Like Dirty Harry films, “Make my day” or “Do you feel lucky, punk?”
Describing Anger
Most idiomatic phrases or idioms come from yesteryear’s literature. Knowing what a particular phrase means helps writers express themselves better. It ignites creative juices.
Finding the correct expression is challenging, so I’ve dug up a few idiomatic and phrasal examples that indirectly convey the emotion of anger.
1. Hell’s Bells and Puppy Dog Tails
I first heard the phrase “hell’s bells and puppy dog tails” when my father-in-law lost a hand at cards. I found the term “hell’s bells,” meaning “fiercely upset,” in my research. The phrase is novel, not used often anymore. It originated in the late 19th century. “Puppy-dog tails” comes from a 19th-century rhyme about what boys made up. I guess pulling a puppy’s tail makes the unfortunate animal mad.
2. Nurse a Grudge Against Someone
The idiomatic phrase is visual and evokes a range of imagery. The writer needs to understand the meaning of “nurse.” This definition is novel since the word “takes care of” does not mean “takes care of someone who is sick.” This particular definition means “maintain thoughts, a feeling, or a theory.” I visualize bigotry, prejudice, or jealousy for stealing someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend. “He nurses a grudge against her for going out with his best friend.”
3. Throw a Fit
The idiomatic phrase means to become very angry or agitated. I often heard mothers say their sons threw fits. A writer intensifies it by writing, “throw forty fits.” The phrase is slang and originated in the 1930s.
4. Mad as…
“Mad as…” takes several endings that describe someone being angry. “Mad as a meat-ax” means extremely angry or dangerously crazy. The idiomatic phrase originated in Australia in the 1920s. “Mad as a cut snake” means very mad or exceedingly angry and originates from Australia in 1890. Other endings from down under are “…a Chinaman,” “…a dingbat,” and “…goanna.” The phrase “as mad as a wet hen” originated in Canada and means intensely annoyed. These phrases change with “madder than….” Using these phrases is a writer’s tool, turning them into similes. “He is madder than a man carrying a meat-ax.”
5. Dish It Out
The idiomatic phrase describes being verbally harsh towards others or even physically abusive. Either way, the person is angry and dishing it out. “He can dish it out, but he can’t take it” is a common phrase that has been heard since 1925.
6. Up Yours!
Is the idiomatic phrase voicing anger at the intended recipient? There are variations to the words with different endings. “Up your pipe!” and “up your jumper!” are phrases expressing anger when the person’s attitude and voice match the words. The terms originated in 1930 and 1920, respectively.
7. Piss-off!
When someone says “piss-off,” it means they are angry or displeased with a person or thing. Being made at a person is easy to visualize. The idiom directed at a broken-down car works as well. The phrase originated in 1940. In the 1970s, the words teenagers spoke. The writer keeps in mind that older people are not likely to say “piss-off.”
8. Have a Bone to Pick
The idiomatic phrase “have a bone to pick (with someone)” means to have something to argue about with someone, which means that the person is angry. “Bob is always picking bones with people for no reason.” I see an old man, unhappy, confronting a friend or acquaintance, saying, “Bob, I have a bone to pick with you about cheating at cards.”
9. Have a Chip on One’s Shoulder
This idiomatic phrase is visual. Anyone with a chip on their shoulder is looking for a fight. They want to argue because they are always angry. A writer uses this phrase in a fun and descriptive way. A person with a chip on his shoulder is uncomfortable to be around.
10. Burned Up
The idiomatic phrase means very angry. “I never saw Bill so burned up over losing a game before.” A writer describes a character burning with anger or burning up over a situation. “You’d better leave because Bob is burning up.”
11. Go Fly a Kite!
People are mad at someone or annoyed, and they want to leave their immediate area. They say, “Go Fly a Kite! Quit bothering me!” The idiom is slang and dates back to the 1900s.
12. Grit One’s Teeth
Gritting one’s teeth means grinding one’s teeth because one is angry but not expressing it. “Tom quietly grits his teeth over the money he lost at the poker game.”
13. Have a Conniption Fit
A person gets angry over something, or a violent emotion. “She had a conniption fit when I dropped her device and cracked the screen.”
14. Stick in One’s Craw
When someone has something stuck in their craw, it means they are irritated or displeased with it. Another way of saying someone is mad about something. “You’re trying to stick the problem in my craw!”
NTC’s Dictionary of Everyday American English Expressions (McGraw-Hill ESL References)
I keep NTC’s dictionaries near my desktop as an easy reference for writing the idiom or phrase needed to describe the drama. I also use it when I read an idiom or phrase I don’t understand.
16. Get Off My Back!
“Get off my back!” expresses annoyance at being told what to do or being criticized. The person wants to be left alone.
17. Up in Arms
“Up in arms” means a person or a group is angry and is complaining about something. A mother is “up in arms” about her kids not cleaning up their rooms. The town is up in arms about drugs and alcohol in the park at night, and the police do nothing about it.
18. Bear With a Sore Head
“Bear with a sore head” means the person is in a bad mood and gets annoyed over little things. My neighbor is a bear with a sore head in the mornings. I can’t do yard work because the noise sets his temper off.
19. Be in a Black Mood
“Be in a black mood” means to be irritably or angrily depressed. My dad is in a black mood. I will ask him tomorrow about taking the camping trip.
20. Blow a Fuse
“Blow a fuse” means losing your temper or going into a rage. It also means becoming extremely angry and suddenly going into a frenzy. My teacher blew a fuse when over half the class didn’t turn in their homework.
21. Blow Up
“Blow up” means suddenly becoming angry at someone or something. “Todd always blows up over the spilled milk.” It happens suddenly, like a burst of anger.
22. Give Vent To
“Give Vent to” is used to express sadness, but is primarily used when someone blows off steam. “She gives vent to the high gas prices even though she drives a Ford Suburban.”
23. Rage-quit
“Rage-quit” shows how people are so angry about something that they quit, most noticeably, when someone is playing a video game.
24. Throw Your Toys out of the Pram
“Throw your toys out the pram” is a dated phrase, but the image of a child throwing a tantrum in a baby carriage with toys flying out and bouncing on the ground is funny.
I’ve used this book for decades. Dr. Funk explains the meanings and offers delightful choices I can use as a writer. He has traced idioms and phrases back through centuries to their original references and shares his opinion when no facts are available.
25. Let Rip
“Let rip” means the person suddenly becomes angry and shouts at the other person or persons. You can write, “He let it rip after finding out his son got a drunk driving ticket.”
26. Cut up Nasty/Rough
“Cut up Nasty/Rough” is an old-fashioned phrase from the United Kingdom. I find it useful because you can use it in many ways today. “Did you see how he got all cut up and nasty over the spilled milk?” “Get a hold of yourself, mate. No reason to get so cut up and rough with the chicken.”
27. Give Someone the Finger
“Give someone the finger” is a tried and true phrase, but it’s probably used too much to be effective. I see it as a childish way of reacting to something that causes you anger.
28. Go Berserk
“Go berserk” or “Going berserk” describes someone furious and violent, acting in an uncontrolled way. “He went berserk when I told him I wanted to end our relationship.”
29. Let Off or Blow off Steam
“Blow off steam or let off steam” expresses someone discharging anger without hurting anyone or anything. “Helen just wants to let off steam, so she took a walk in the park.”
30. Put or Stick Two Fingers up at Someone
“Putting or sticking two fingers up at someone” is not a common expression, though it’s helpful in a visual sense. The phrase expresses anger toward someone in a simple, yet rude, way. The person holds up his first two fingers in a “V” shape with his palm facing the target. “He stuck two fingers up at the police officer.”
31. Throw a Wobbly
“Throw a wobbly” is a funny way to describe an angry reaction to someone or something. It’s an informal British expression, but it’s valid. “Oh, don’t go and throw a wobbly on me, mate. Give it a break.”
32. Turn On
“Turn on” has many meanings, some positive, like “She turned me on.” This expression has a negative connotation. It means becoming suddenly angry and starting to criticize someone or shout at them. “Bobby can turn it on sometimes with his wife. I wish he’d turn it off, geez.”
Artistic License in English
I hope my idiom examples help you write better and show more to your readers. A writer creates as they see fit when taking an idiom. Artistic license is available for writers to bring their stories to life. You alter or embellish the phrases as you please. I wish you a well-written story.
