lose one's head

English

Verb

to lose one's head

1. (idiomatic) To behave irrationally or to lose one's self-control, especially in a distressing situation.
   • 1884, Henry James, The Author of Beltraffio, ch. 4:

     Mrs. Ambient's grief was frantic; she lost her head and said strange things.

   • 1914, D. H. Lawrence, "A Sick Collier" in The Prussian Officer and Other Stories:

     Losing his head entirely, the young collier raved like a madman, what with pain and fear of hospital.

   • 2003, Bill Keller, "Walter Sisulu, Mandela Mentor and Comrade, Dies at 90," New York Times, 6 May (retrieved 12 Dec. 2009):

     "He never lost his head in a crisis," Mr. Mandela wrote of his comrade.

Synonyms

• flip out, freak out, panic, wig out

Antonyms

• keep one's head

Translations

behave irrationally or lose self-control

French: perdre la tête (fr) Hungarian: elveszti a fejét (hu)

Italian: perdere la testa

See also

• lose one's head if it wasn't attached