Phrase guide

flip one's lid

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To become explosively angry, to lose one's temper.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flip out, flip one's wig, blow one's top, blow a gasket

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

get very angry and fly into a rage

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The professor combusted when the student didn't know the answer to a very elementary question
  • Spam makes me go ballistic

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: blow up, throw a fit, hit the roof, hit the ceiling, have kittens, have a fit, combust, blow one's stack, fly off the handle, flip one's wig, lose one's temper, blow a fuse, go ballistic

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: rage

History

Etymology

Originally an Americanism; from the analogy of a boiling pot explosively popping off its lid due to built-up internal pressure.