Angry English Phrases- How to be Mad in English
While everyone would much rather keep their cool (stay calm, not get mad), sometimes it’s just not possible. Sometimes something sets you off (sparks, starts to make you get mad), or sometimes you just have a bad day and you can’t help (it just happens, you have no control of) getting angry. So, is there some angry English you can use when you are mad?
Of course there is! While it’s still better if you don’t get angry, there are some phrases you can use when you do happen to get a little fiery (full of “fire” or anger).
What were you thinking?
It’s not always easy to understand why someone has done something. That’s where this phrase comes in handy. If you are shocked (very surprised) at their behavior, this phrase is very reactionary.
This seems to be a go-to (trusted, first used) phrase of parents when it comes to misbehaving children, as well.
For example:
- You did what? What were you thinking?
Cop on
Have you heard of the phrase “to cop on”? It’s a great phrase to know if you’re interested in angry English.
To cop on to something is another way of telling someone to become aware of something or to inform themselves of the situation, especially when the situation seems really obvious.
For example:
- She has said “no” ten times in a row. She’s not interested in you- cop on!
Get a clue
The phrase get a clue is very similar to telling someone to cop on. When you want to tell someone to get a clue, you’re telling them to stop, “wake up”, and see what the obvious situation is.
For example:
- Get a clue! Perhaps the reason your boss keeps asking you to try new projects is because she wants to promote you!
To have a bone to pick with someone
When you have an issue that you want to bring up with someone, especially if it’s something that frustrates you or makes you mad, you have a bone to pick with them. This is a great little turn of phrase to use when you’re upset with someone.
For example:
- I have a bone to pick with my manager. I haven’t worked a good shift in weeks!
To bite someone’s head off
No matter how upset you get with someone, it’s important to not bite someone’s head off.
The phrase to bite someone’s head off means that you get really angry at someone, almost as if you’d be mad enough that you would literally bite their head off.
For example:
- I’m going to go talk to her about this. I hope I don’t bite her head off.
While no one likes getting angry, sometimes it happens. In these cases, it’s good to have some angry English phrases up your sleeve (in your vocabulary).
Do you have some specific phrases you use when you’re angry? Share them with us in the comments below!
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Check out these other popular blogs: TV English Vocabulary, Banking English Vocabulary, English Comma: Basic Rules, or these Commonly Confused Words used in English!
Erin Duffin lives in Hamburg, is an English teacher, blogger, yoga instructor, and doesn’t know what you’re thinking! Cop on and ask us for a FREE trial lesson already!!
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