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blow a fuse / gasket
/blˈəʊ ɐ fjˈuːz ɡˈaskɪt/
/blˈoʊ ɐ fjˈuːz ɡˈæskɪt/
to blow a fuse / gasket
[PHRASE]1
to suddenly lose one's temper and become extremely angry
What is the origin of the idiom "blow a fuse" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "blow a fuse" can be traced back to the early 20th century when it emerged as an idiomatic expression in American English. The phrase draws its metaphorical meaning from the electrical fuse, a safety device that breaks or "blows" when there is an overload of electrical current, thereby preventing damage to the circuit. It is commonly employed when individuals reach a breaking point and react explosively to a triggering event or situation. It is often used to describe instances where someone becomes overwhelmed by emotions and loses their temper in a sudden and dramatic manner.
Examples
1. When he told her how much it cost, she blew a gasket.
2. The boss blew a fuse when the shipment didn't arrive on time.
3. For all my experience, I blew a fuse in the quarter-final and could have been sent off.
4. So, when the bond market blows a gasket, the damages are much worse for the economy.
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