hot under the collar
/ˌhɒt ˌʌndə ðə ˈkɒlə/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
angry or embarrassed about something
Examples
- 1Dad gets hot under the collar about the neighbours' parking.
- 2There is no need to get hot under the collar over a board game.
- 3The manager was hot under the collar about the questions from the board.
- 4He gets hot under the collar whenever anyone criticises his driving.
- 5She still gets hot under the collar about that referee's decision.
Grammar
Used after get or be; the phrase itself never changes. The cause follows about or over.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about emotions
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →jump out of your skinto be extremely startled by something suddena face like thundera look that shows great angerhave a soft spot forto feel special fondness for someone or somethingover the moonextremely pleased about somethingdown in the dumpssad and lacking energy for a whileget cold feetto become too nervous to do something you planned
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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