Drive up the wall

Meaning

The idiom "drive up the wall" means to become extremely angry or upset. It can also mean to be very stubborn or unwilling to change one's mind.

Usage

• After the argument, John was so angry that he drove up the wall.
• She refused to listen to my ideas and drove me up the wall.
• The traffic was so heavy that it drove me up the wall.
• I can't stand being around her anymore, she drives me up the wall.
• He's always been stubborn and refuses to change his mind, driving me up the wall.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of this idiom is in the 18th century. It comes from the phrase "to drive one up a wall," which means to push someone so hard that they become angry or upset. The phrase became popularized in the early 20th century and has since been used in many different contexts.

Synonyms in English

• Blow a fuse
• Lose it
• Go ballistic
• Snap
• Have a meltdown

Synonyms in other languages

• French - "Faire perdre sa tête" (To lose one's head)
• Spanish - "Hacer perder la cabeza" (To make someone lose their head)
• Italian - "Avere una crisi di nervi" (To have a nervous breakdown)
• German - "Ich habe keine Worte mehr!" (I have no words!)
• Russian - "Я не могу понять!" (I can't understand!)

Similar Idioms

• do or die

• dribs and drabs

• devil’s advocate