flip my lid

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   to suddenly become very angry or upset about something.

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the possessive changes to match the person: flip my/your/his lid.

   Patterns

   • flip your lid
   • flip your lid about something
   • flip your lid when something happens

   My dad will flip his lid when he sees the scratch on the car.

   She flipped her lid about the mess in the kitchen.

   Don't flip your lid over a small mistake.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   to become extremely excited or surprised by something pleasant.

   Grammar: Also used as a verb phrase; often shows positive excitement, unlike the angry meaning.

   Patterns

   • flip your lid over something
   • flip your lid when you hear something

   The kids flipped their lids when they saw the puppy.

   He flipped his lid when he won the prize.

   I nearly flipped my lid when she told me the news.

Common combinations

flip your lid about

He flipped his lid about the broken window.

flip your lid over

She flipped her lid over the surprise party.

nearly flip your lid

I nearly flipped my lid when I saw the bill.

make someone flip their lid

That noise will make my mother flip her lid.

Synonyms and how they differ

lose your temper

This means to become angry, but it is more neutral and can be used in formal writing; 'flip your lid' is more informal and dramatic.

go crazy

This can mean become very angry or very excited, similar to 'flip your lid', but it is broader and can also mean to act in a strange way.

blow up

This means to become angry suddenly, but it often suggests a more explosive reaction; 'flip your lid' is slightly milder and more conversational.

Opposites

Commonly confused: flip my lid or flip a coin?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “flip my lid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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