get the crockery flying

[thedaffodils]

A leading American feminist, Professor Cynthia Enloe, visited Britain last week to lecture on why the world would be a better, more peaceful place if women were in charge. But is she right? It's a debate guaranteed to get the crockery flying.. .

Source: the Daily Mail
ALLISON PEARSON: How wonderful it would be if women ruled the world | Mail Online

Hi! This is the full preface of an article in the Daily Mail.

What does "get the crockery flying" mean here? Is it related to any fable story?

Thanks!

[Anglika]

No. It refers to the way in which really angry people may start throwing things at each other.

[thedaffodils]

No. It refers to the way in which really angry people may start throwing things at each other.

Hi Anglika,

Thank you for your help. Is it a usual expression?

Is the following example sentence I make okay if without further context?

e.g. Our boss has a bad hair day today. Don't talk about the bad news with him or he will fly crockery at you.

[Anglika]

Doesn't work in that context.

The boss has had a really bad day. The crockery flew when he discovered that the cheques had been incorrectly recorded.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Anglika,

Thank you for your answer. But I don't really understand why the sentence I made with the phrase doesn't work. Should "fly" follow "the crockery" or what? Could you please explain further? Thanks!

[Anglika]

It is a metaphor for being angry.

He might throw the crockery around or at you or at the wall, but could not "flew the crockery". In reality he would not physically be doing anything of the kind. He would probably be shouting at his staff.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Anglika,

Thank you very much for your elucidation. I think I've understood.