- An intense emotional outburst where someone loses control due to overwhelming stress, frustration, or sensory overload.
- Often associated with children (tantrums) but also used for adults experiencing extreme emotional distress.
- In adults, it implies a temporary inability to cope or regulate emotions.
Explanation
Origin
- The term borrows imagery from a nuclear meltdown – a catastrophic failure where the core overheats and loses control.
- Applied metaphorically to human emotions, it signifies a complete breakdown of emotional control systems under pressure.
- Became more common in colloquial English in the latter half of the 20th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Lost their shit (Vulgar)
- Flipped out / Flipped their lid
- Went ballistic / Went postal (Implies extreme, possibly dangerous, anger/loss of control 'postal' refers to incidents of workplace violence by postal workers in the US)
- Bugged out (Became agitated or irrational)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Had a fucking meltdown
- Completely lost their fucking mind
Milder:
- Got very upset / Became extremely emotional
- Lost their temper
- Was overwhelmed
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Use with caution, especially when describing adults, as it can sound judgmental or minimize potentially serious distress. Avoid in formal or professional settings unless describing a situation very carefully (e.g., He became extremely agitated and lost control).
- More acceptable when describing children's behavior or one's own feelings (I almost had a meltdown).
Misunderstanding Warnings
- While often used hyperbolically, be aware that for some individuals (e.g., on the autism spectrum), 'meltdown' refers to a specific, involuntary response to sensory or emotional overwhelm, distinct from a tantrum. Using the term casually might sometimes be insensitive in certain contexts.
Examples
- The toddler had a full meltdown in the supermarket when he couldn't get candy.
- After the third project failure, the manager nearly had a meltdown in the meeting.
- I was so stressed, I felt like I was about to have a meltdown.
Dialogue
Liam: How was the meeting?
Chloe: Rough. Dave totally had a meltdown when his proposal got rejected. Started yelling and everything.
Liam: Seriously? Wow. That's unprofessional.
Chloe: Tell me about it. It was really uncomfortable.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Dealing with toddler meltdowns today. Send coffee and patience. 😩 #ParentingLife #TerribleTwos
- Forum Post: I almost had a meltdown at work today. The pressure is insane. How do you guys cope? #WorkStress #MentalHealth
- Meme: Image of someone looking overwhelmed, caption: Me trying to hold it together before my inevitable daily meltdown. #Relatable #Stressed
Response Patterns
- If describing someone else's meltdown: Oh wow, really? / That sounds intense. / Is everything okay now?
- If someone says they almost had one: Oh no, what happened? / Are you okay? / Take some deep breaths.
- If someone is *having* a meltdown: Responses vary wildly depending on the situation try to de-escalate, give space, offer quiet support, or remove them from the trigger/situation if possible and safe.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing about a meltdown:
- Ask: What triggered it? / How did people react? / Is [the person] okay now?
If someone fears they might have one:
- Ask: What's causing the stress? / Can you step away for a minute? / What would help you calm down?
- Action: Offer support, suggest calming techniques, encourage taking a break.
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to describe a specific event or state, not an opener.
Intonation
- Stress typically falls on Melt. MELTdown.
- Can be said with concern, judgment, or exasperation depending on the context.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood, though perhaps used more casually by younger generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in most English-speaking regions.