Definition

1. Idiomatic phrase (verb phrase):
   • To fly into a rage, to have a fit of anger: This idiom describes someone suddenly becoming extremely angry, losing their temper in a dramatic and often uncontrollable way. It implies a violent, explosive outburst of anger.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ta nổi tam bành lên. (Hearing that news, he flew into a rage.)
  • Đừng có nổi tam bành ở đây! (Don't have a tantrum here!)
  • Cô ấy dễ nổi tam bành lắm. (She gets into fits of anger very easily.)

Advanced Usage & Notes

• Cultural Origin: The phrase originates from Chinese folk religion, referring to "Tam Bành" (三彭), three malevolent worms or spirits believed to reside in the human body and report one's wrongdoings to the heavens. "Nổi tam bành" metaphorically means these destructive forces erupting, causing violent anger.
• Register: This is a colloquial expression (khẩu ngữ). It is vivid and dramatic, often used in spoken language or informal writing to describe severe anger.
• Typical Constructions: It is commonly used with adverbs like "lên" (up) to complete the phrase: "nổi tam bành lên".

Variants and Related Words

• Nổi giận (verb phrase): To get angry. (A more standard, less intense synonym).
• Nổi cơn thịnh nộ (verb phrase): To fly into a fury. (A more literary synonym with similar intensity).
• Tam bành (noun): Can refer to the three spirits themselves or, by extension, a fit of rage (e.g., "Lên cơn tam bành").

Synonyms

• Fly into a rage: To suddenly become very angry.
• Have a fit / Have a tantrum: To lose control of one's emotions in an angry outburst.
• Blow one's top (idiom): To explode with anger.
• See red (idiom): To become very angry.

Related Idioms

• Nổi cơn lôi đình: To have a thunderous fit of rage. (Similar intensity and imagery).
• Giận sôi gan: To be boiling with anger (literally: anger that boils the liver).
• Máu nổi lên: For one's blood to rise (indicating anger).

1. (khẩu ngữ) Get into a tantrum