Definition

Adjective: - Very angry, agitated, or indignant: The phrase describes a state of being extremely upset, flustered, or furious, often to the point where one's face feels warm or flushed with emotion. It implies a reaction to a specific provocation.

Usage

This idiom is used to describe someone who is visibly and emotionally angry. It often suggests the anger is a direct, heated reaction to a situation. - It is typically used as a predicate adjective after a linking verb like be, feel, or get. - It is informal and somewhat figurative.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • He got hot under the collar when he saw the unfair report.
  • Don't get so hot under the collar; it was just a simple mistake.
  • She was hot under the collar after the long and frustrating meeting.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can sometimes imply that the anger is somewhat irrational or excessive for the situation.
  • He's always hot under the collar about minor traffic delays.

Variants and Related Words

• Steamed up (adj., informal): Agitated or angry.
  • She was really steamed up about the policy change.
• In a lather (adj., informal): In a state of agitated excitement or worry; often implies anger.
  • There's no need to get in a lather over a spilled drink.

Synonyms

• Furious: Full of fury or wild anger.
• Incensed: Very angry; enraged.
• Irate: Characterized by great anger.
• Livid: Furiously angry (can also mean pale or discolored).

Antonyms

• Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
• Unruffled: Not agitated or disturbed; calm.
• Placid: Not easily upset or excited.

Related Idioms

• See red: To become very angry suddenly.
  • When he insulted her family, she saw red.
• Blow a fuse / Blow one's top (informal): To lose one's temper explosively.
  • My boss blew his top when the project was late.
• Fly off the handle (informal): To lose one's temper suddenly and unexpectedly.
  • He tends to fly off the handle at the smallest criticism.

Adjective

1. very angry