Tag Archives: angry

Idiom of the day

Hot under the collar

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Meaning: To feel angry, annoyed, or agitated, often in a way that’s visible or difficult to hide.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “She got hot under the collar when her coworker took credit for her idea.”
  2. “You don’t need to get hot under the collar about the delay; we’ll resolve it soon.”
  3. “He tends to get hot under the collar whenever someone criticizes his work.”

Origin:
The phrase refers to the physical sensation of heat or discomfort around the neck that often accompanies anger or frustration. Historically, people wore high-collared shirts, and the idea of someone getting “hot” under such a collar visually conveys their irritation or anger. It has been used in English since the late 19th century.

Hot under the collar
Idiom of the day

See red

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Meaning: This idiom means to become very angry or enraged, often suddenly and intensely.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “He saw red when he found out that his car had been scratched in the parking lot.”
  2. “She saw red after hearing the unfair criticism from her boss.”
  3. “Whenever someone lies to him, he sees red instantly.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “see red” is likely linked to the association of the color red with anger, aggression, and heightened emotions. This connection is rooted in physiological responses, as anger can cause a person’s face to flush or turn red due to increased blood flow. Additionally, the phrase may also be influenced by the traditional image of a bull charging at a red cape during a bullfight, where the bull’s reaction is interpreted as anger. Although the color red does not actually provoke the bull (it’s the movement of the cape that does), this image has become symbolic of intense anger, leading to the idiom “see red” to describe someone becoming very angry.

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