# have a cow

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-a-cow
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To get angry; have a fit.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.