- To become suddenly and extremely angry; to lose one's temper in an explosive way.
Explanation
Origin
- A mechanical metaphor originating in the mid-20th century, likely becoming popular with the rise of car culture.
- A head gasket in an engine seals the cylinder head to the engine block. If it 'blows' (fails), it often results in a sudden, violent release of pressure, steam, and fluids.
- The expression compares a person's explosive burst of anger to this dramatic engine failure – a sudden, uncontrolled release of 'pressure' (anger).
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Flip one's lid (Similar dated metaphor)
- Go ballistic
- Hit the ceiling / Hit the roof
- Freak out / Flip out
- Lose it
- Blow one's top / Blow one's stack
- Go nuclear (More modern metaphor for extreme reaction)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Go ape shit
- Lose one's shit
- Go fucking ballistic/Go fucking nuclear
Milder:
- Get furious / Become enraged
- Lose one's temper (More neutral description)
- Fly into a rage
- Get extremely angry
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- The imagery is vivid and slightly humorous, despite describing intense anger. Suitable for casual conversation among peers.
- Avoid in formal contexts or writing.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Must be understood metaphorically. The listener needs to connect the imagery of a sudden engine failure to a sudden burst of anger. It implies a more explosive and perhaps less controlled anger than simply being 'mad'.
Examples
- My dad blew a gasket when he saw the huge phone bill.
- She completely blew a gasket when her computer crashed right before the deadline.
- Whatever you do, don't tell him you scratched his car, he'll blow a gasket.
Dialogue
Employee 1: Did you hear the boss earlier? Sounded like he blew a gasket in his office.
Employee 2: Yeah, I heard some shouting. Any idea what happened?
Employee 1: I think someone messed up the big presentation for the client meeting.
Employee 2: Oof. Yeah, that would do it.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Tried to explain NFTs to my grandpa. Think he nearly blew a gasket. 😂 #generationgap
- Facebook Comment: If my roommate leaves dirty dishes in the sink one more time, I'm gonna blow a gasket!
- Forum Post: Warning: This game level is incredibly frustrating. Prepare not to blow a gasket.
Response Patterns
- Concern/Shock: Wow, really?, Oh my gosh!, Is everything okay now?
- Caution/Agreement: Yikes, okay, I won't mention it., I don't blame him/her.
- Inquiry: What happened?, What set him/her off?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Listeners typically ask about the cause (What made them blow a gasket?) or the aftermath (What happened then?).
- People usually try to avoid provoking someone they think might blow a gasket.
- The phrase implies a very visible, possibly loud, display of anger.
Conversation Starter
- No. Describes a strong reaction, not an opener.
Intonation
- Usually described with emphasis conveying the intensity and suddenness of the anger.
- Stress often falls on BLEW and GASKET. He totally BLEW a GASKET.
- The tone implies a significant, perhaps frightening, outburst.
Generation Differences
- Generally understood across generations, but perhaps slightly more common or evocative for middle-aged and older generations who might have more familiarity with older car mechanics.
- Younger generations understand it but might equally use freak out, lose it, or similar terms.
Regional Variations
- Primarily North American English in origin and most common use, but widely understood in other English-speaking regions.