English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
The devil is beating his wife
Meaning
The idiom "the devil is beating his wife" is a common expression used to describe someone who is very upset or angry. The phrase does not literally mean that the devil is beating his wife, but rather it is a metaphorical representation of extreme anger.
Usage
- John was so angry after losing the game that he stormed out of the room, muttering under his breath about the devil beating his wife.
- The customer was furious when she found out her order was incorrect and started yelling at the waitress, as if the devil himself had beaten her wife.
- When I heard that my friend's dog had been hit by a car, I felt like the devil himself had beat his wife on behalf of animals everywhere.
- The employee was so angry with the manager for giving him a low performance review that he threatened to quit on the spot, as if the devil was beating his wife in retaliation.
- The protesters were screaming and chanting as if their very souls were being torn apart by the devil beating his wife.
Roots and History
The idiom "the devil is beating his wife" is believed to have originated in medieval times when people believed that witches were responsible for all sorts of misfortunes. The devil was often depicted as a symbol of evil, and witches were said to be consorts of the devil. Therefore, if something bad happened, it was often blamed on the devil beating his wife. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has evolved to simply refer to extreme anger or frustration. It no longer has any specific religious connotations, but rather it is used as a universal expression of anger.
Synonyms in English
- Blow a fuse
- Have a short fuse
- Lose control
- Fly off the handle
- Go ballistic
Synonyms in other languages
- In Spanish, "tirarse en la luna" (to throw oneself in the moon) means to be extremely angry or upset.
- In French, "aller à la déesse" (to go to the goddess) means to lose control and become enraged.
- In German, "frohsehen" (to enjoy oneself) means to become really angry or irate.
- In Italian, "fare il diavolo" (to make devil) means to do something really bad or evil.
- In Japanese, "rairai" (to be extremely angry) means to lose control and become furious.