have a cow

The idiom 'have a cow' is commonly used in American English to describe a strong, often exaggerated emotional reaction.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Voice:
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Voice:

Definition

B2Informal Conversation

(slang, informal)To become extremely upset or angry.

Example

  • Don't have a cow, man. I said I'd take care of the problem and I will.
  • Don't tell Dad; he'll have a cow if he ever finds out.

B2Informal Conversation

(slang, informal)To overreact or respond with excessive emotion.

Example

  • Relax, you're having a cow over nothing.
  • The coach had a cow at the team for losing the game.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "have a cow":

have a fitfreak outblow a gasketlose one's shitflip one's wigcow bitego bananasmilch cowgo nutsgo madflip one's lidgo mentalsacred cowcow juicego bonkerslose one's headcow hitch