In a huff

Meaning

The idiom "in a huff" means to be angry or upset, often over something minor or imagined. It is usually used when someone is acting out of proportion or behaving irrationally. The figurative meaning of the idiom is that the person is puffed up and agitated, like a huffing and puffing steam engine.

Usage

• I accidentally spilled my coffee and now my boss is in a huff.
• She was in a huff after finding out her flight was delayed.
• He's always in a huff when he loses at poker.
• The dog was in a huff after being scolded for chewing on the furniture.
• She was in a huff because she wasn't invited to the party. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, if someone is actually huffing and puffing like a steam engine, the idiom might not be appropriate. Additionally, the intensity of the anger or upsetting situation can affect how the idiom is used.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "in a huff" is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 19th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the phrase "blow up like a huffing and puffing engine," which means to become angry or agitated quickly. Another theory suggests that it comes from the verb "huff," which means to breathe heavily or puff out one's chest in anger. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has remained relatively consistent, but the usage may have changed slightly. For example, in earlier times, the phrase was more commonly used to describe someone who was physically huffing and puffing. Today, it is more often used to describe someone who is angry or upset in a less physical sense.

Synonyms in English

• Blow up
• Get upset
• Become angry
• Lose temper
• Fly off the handle

Synonyms in other languages

• French - Foirir (to blow up)
• Spanish - Enfadarse (to get angry)
• German - Rachen (to huff and puff)
• Italian - Sanguignare (to bleed, metaphorically for being angry)
• Portuguese - Enfarado (to be upset or angry).

Similar Idioms

• go bananas

• icing on the cake

• mad at