Meaning & use
flipped my lid
Last updated
“flipped my lid” is a form of “flip one's lid”.
Meanings
phraseidiominformal
became extremely angry or lost control of one's emotions.
Grammar: This is the past tense form of 'flip one's lid'. The possessive pronoun changes with the subject: I flipped my lid, you flipped your lid, she flipped her lid.
Patterns
- flip one's lid
- flip one's lid over something
- flip one's lid at someone
When she saw the mess in the kitchen, she flipped her lid.
He flipped his lid when the mechanic told him the repair would cost a thousand dollars.
My dad flipped his lid when I forgot to call and tell him I was safe.
phraseidiominformal
became very excited or enthusiastic.
Grammar: Used in the same way as the angry sense, but the context makes the meaning clear. Often followed by 'over' or 'about'.
Patterns
- flip one's lid over something
- flip one's lid about something
The fans flipped their lids when the band walked on stage.
She flipped her lid over the new phone—she had wanted one for months.
Word forms
| base form | flip one's lid |
|---|---|
| third person singular | flips one's lid |
| present participle | flipping one's lid |
| past tense | flipped one's lid |
| past participle | flipped one's lid |
Common combinations
- flip one's lid over something
- She flipped her lid over the broken vase.
- flip one's lid at someone
- Don't flip your lid at me—it's not my fault.
- flip one's lid when
- He flipped his lid when he heard the news.
- completely flip one's lid
- My boss completely flipped his lid when the report was late.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hit the roof
- Also means to become very angry, but it is slightly more vivid and often used in British English.
- blow one's top
- Very similar in meaning and informality, but it can also mean to go crazy, not just to get angry.
- lose one's temper
- A more neutral and formal way to say become angry; it does not imply losing control completely.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: flipped my lid or flip out?
flipped my lid vs flip out
'Flip out' also means to become very angry or upset, but it is less specific about the lid and can also mean to become crazy or lose control in a general way.
Practice
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose one answer.
The possessive pronoun must match the subject: 'his' for 'he'. Option A has the wrong possessive, C is missing the possessive entirely, and D uses 'the lid' instead of the required possessive, which changes the idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “flipped my lid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.