froth at the mouth
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To be in a state of uncontrolled anger: To exhibit extreme, visible, and often irrational fury or rage, as if one were foaming at the mouth like a rabid animal. This phrase describes a person who is so angry they seem to have lost control.
Usage and Examples
- Verb phrase:
- When he saw the damage to his car, he started to froth at the mouth. (He became uncontrollably angry.)
- The manager will froth at the mouth if the project is late again. (The manager will be extremely and visibly furious.)
- She was frothing at the mouth with indignation during the argument. (She was expressing intense, uncontrolled anger.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- This idiom is hyperbolic and vivid. It is rarely used to describe mild annoyance; it is reserved for extreme, almost animalistic rage.
- It often implies that the anger is so intense it seems irrational or disproportionate to the situation.
- The phrase can be used in both literal descriptions of someone's furious demeanor and in more figurative predictions or warnings.
Variants and Related Expressions
- Foam at the mouth: This is a direct synonym and is used interchangeably with "froth at the mouth."
- See red: To become very angry.
- Fly into a rage: To suddenly become very angry.
- Have a fit: To have a sudden outburst of anger.
Synonyms
- Rage: To feel or express violent, uncontrollable anger.
- Fume: To be visibly and silently very angry.
- Seethe: To be filled with intense but often unexpressed anger.
Related Idioms
- Blow a fuse/gasket: To lose one's temper suddenly and violently.
- Go ballistic: To become very angry and start shouting.
- Hit the roof/ceiling: To become very angry suddenly.
Verb
- be in a state of uncontrolled anger