pop a blood vessel

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformalfigurative

   To become extremely angry or agitated, as if your blood pressure were dangerously high.

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase: 'He popped a blood vessel when he saw the bill.' Often in the continuous form: 'I'm popping a blood vessel over this.'

   Patterns

   • pop a blood vessel over something
   • nearly pop a blood vessel
   • be popping a blood vessel

   My dad nearly popped a blood vessel when he saw my report card.

   She pops a blood vessel every time someone mentions that politician.

   I'm popping a blood vessel trying to get this printer to work.

2. 2phraseidiommedical

   To burst a blood vessel, causing bleeding, as a serious medical event.

   Grammar: Less common and used literally; usually in medical contexts.

   Patterns

   • pop a blood vessel in the eye
   • pop a blood vessel in the brain

   He popped a blood vessel in his eye while lifting weights.

   A stroke can happen when a blood vessel in the brain pops.

Common combinations

nearly pop a blood vessel

I nearly popped a blood vessel when I saw the price.

pop a blood vessel over

Don't pop a blood vessel over a silly mistake.

be about to pop a blood vessel

She was about to pop a blood vessel waiting for the delayed flight.

Synonyms and how they differ

blow a fuse

Also means to get very angry suddenly; 'pop a blood vessel' suggests a more physical, health-related image.

see red

Means to become very angry; 'pop a blood vessel' emphasizes the extreme physical reaction.

Opposites

Commonly confused: pop a blood vessel or pop a vein?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “pop a blood vessel”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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