Crazy

Posted by Bob on September 19, 2004

In Reply to: Crazy posted by crazy on September 19, 2004

: Is it true that *to freak out* can mean to * suddenly lose someone's temper*?

: thanks

Not exactly. "Freak out" is a slang term that originally related to losing control of oneself due to drug hallucinations. It started to be applied to all kinds of loss-of-control states: panic, confusion, overreaction, etc. Inasmuch as losing one's temper is one kind of loss of control, it could be included. But if you hear that someone "freaked out," you're more likely to assume hysteria than anger.

• Crazy ESC 19/September/04