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Definition

To become very angry and irrational.

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Origins

The idiomatic usage derives from the second-generation of jet fighters, armed with guided missiles, in the late 1950s into the 1960s, with the informal military sense of fully-powered non-ballistic missiles going ballistic when losing control and assuming a free-fall trajectory, sense 3. But in subsequent usage the term has often become associated with the intentionally ballistic, suborbital trajectories of long-range, typically nuclear-armed missiles, sense 2.

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In Context

  • "She'd go ballistic, possibly even fling a fireball or two, if she knew Selene had him in her apartment."
  • "Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Hey, sorry for going ballistic back there. I think the whole Julie-being-alive thing affected me more than I thought."
  • "The guy went ballistic when I tried to tell him he couldn't return the socks if the package had been opened."
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Related Idioms

c

cut up nasty

To become angry; to make a fuss.

 s

see red

To become enraged, angry, or irritated.

 p

pop one's cork

To become explosively angry.

 f

flip one's wig

To become very angry.

 g

get one's shirt out

To become angry or annoyed; to lose one's temper.

 h

have had it up to here

To have become very frustrated or angry; to have reached the limit of …
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