Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

blow one's cork

idiom

/bloʊ wʌnz kɔrk/

Definition

To become very angry or lose one’s temper unexpectedly, often in a sudden outburst.

Examples

After he received the unfair criticism at work, he blew his cork in front of everyone.
She’s usually calm, but when she found out her brother borrowed her car without asking, she blew her cork.
When the deadline was pushed forward again, the project manager really blew his cork in the office meeting.

Meaning

This idiomatic expression describes the reaction of someone who has been holding in their anger, frustrations, or feelings, and finally expresses them in a dramatic or loud manner, much like a cork popping off a bottle of carbonated drink when the pressure is released.