have a cow
To get angry; have a fit.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't have a cow — it's just a small scratch.”
“My mother had a cow when she saw the mess in the kitchen.”
“The manager had a cow when the shipment arrived three weeks late, shouting at suppliers until his face turned red.”
The origin remains unknown, though the expression was popularized during the late 20th century by the television programme The Simpsons. It served as a recurring catchphrase for the character Bart Simpson.
- 01
cow juice
Cow’s milk.
- 02
holy cow
An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.
- 03
sacred cow
Something which cannot be tampered with, or criticized, for fear of public outcry. A person, institution, belief system, etc. which, for no reason other than the demands of established social etiquette or popular opinion, should be accorded respect or reverence, and not touched, handled or examined too closely.
Last updated August 10, 2026