Foaming at the Mouth, To
Definition: To express fury, to rage uncontrollably. The term draws an analogy to dogs afflicted with rabies, foaming at the mouth and behaving crazily. The analogy extended to extreme human anger as far back as the fifteenth century and has been a cliché since the mid-nineteenth century.
Synonyms:
- Blow a gasket
- Fly off the handle
- Lose one’s temper
- Go ballistic
Antonyms:
- Keep one’s cool
- Stay calm
- Remain composed
- Bite one’s tongue
Humorous Take: “He was so mad, I thought he might actually start foaming at the mouth! Good thing I’ve got plenty of mops.”
Inspirational Quote: “Anger is like acid. It does more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” – Mark Twain
Literary, Movies, and Musical Recommendations:
Literature:
- “Salmagundi” by Washington Irving – Classic satire that elaborates on American society.
- “Curiosities of Literature” by Isaac Disraeli – A collection of literary criticism and anecdotes.
Movies:
- “Anger Management” (2003) – A hilarious take on controlling uncontrollable rage, starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson.
- “Inside Out” (2015) – A Pixar animated film portraying human emotions, including Anger with a prominent fiery head.
Songs:
- “I’m So Angry” by Vinnie Jones – Smooth tune on life’s angrier moments.
- “Angry Again” by Megadeth – Rock out while venting out fury.
Intriguing Proverbs & Expressions:
- Proverb: “He who angers you conquers you.”
- Expression: “Red in the face” – Being visibly angry.
- Expression: “Hot under the collar” – Getting annoyed or angry.
Quizzes 🍿
### Which of these expressions conveys extreme rage?
- [x] Foam at the mouth
- [ ] Sizzle like bacon
- [ ] Fly in a paper plane
- [ ] Saunter like a snail
> **Explanation:** "Foam at the mouth" is the idiomatic expression here conveying unbridled anger. The other options, while amusing, don't quite froth with fury.
### Which term means the opposite of 'foaming at the mouth'?
- [ ] Blow a gasket
- [x] Keep one's cool
- [ ] Go ballistic
- [ ] Explode with rage
> **Explanation:** The appropriate opposite of "foaming at the mouth" is "keeping one's cool," which means to stay calm.
### True or False: **'Red in the face'** is commonly used to describe anger.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! "Red in the face" is a colorful and classic expression used to denote someone who is visibly angry.
Farewell Thought 💭🌟
Remember, holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone—you are the one who gets burned.—Buddha
