To go ballistic

Status
Not open for further replies.

Olenek

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2011
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Russian Federation
Hi everybody,
I have found in one Russian dictionary the idiom: To go ballistic. Is it really used in UK or USA nowdays? And how often? Thanks!
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
You hear it used in the UK sometimes. It's not very common, but also not that unusual.
 

riquecohen

VIP Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
Brazil
You hear it used in the UK sometimes. It's not very common, but also not that unusual.
It is, perhaps, more common in the US.
 

JTRiff

Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
Netherlands
Current Location
Canada
not teacher

Yes it is. Refers to ballistic missiles - boom!
 

Vidor

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
not a teacher

Means "to get very angry", and is fairly common.
 

SanMar

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2011
Member Type
Other
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
Re: not a teacher

Means "to get very angry", and is fairly common.

I agree and would also add that it is a display of that anger.
Someone exploding with anger for example ..
When she found out that she had lost the contest she went ballistic and started throwing stuff.

Maybe it's just me but this idiom has an element of humour to it. It seems to be said in a slightly funny way or at least I find it a bit funny. Does anyone else agree/disagree?

Not a teacher.
:)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top