hot under the collar
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- very angry