Fly Off the Handle Meaning | Idiom Examples, Origin | Related Expressions

Idioms in popular songs: The Beastie Boys cleverly used the idiom fly off the handle in the song Sabotage from 1994. “Because I feel disgrace because you’re all in my face, But make no mistakes and switch up my channel, I’m Buddy Rich when I fly off the handle.“ Buddy Rich was an influential jazz drummer who had a profound influence on many modern drummers, including the great Neal Peart from Rush and John Bonham from Led Zeppelin. But, he was notoriously short-tempered! Yes, as in the song, flying off the handle makes you “like Buddy Rich.“ What does fly off the handle mean? It means to lose one’s temper or to become enraged. Watch the video for more information on this idiom and for many more anger idioms, including those similar to fly off the handle.