He sets his hair on fire whenever he loses a game.
set one's hair on fire
idiomTo become wildly impassioned; to behave crazily.
Origin
disputed originPossibly from stories of Viking marauders said to have set their hair and beards on fire when running into battle in order to appear fanatical and fearsome.
The manager set his hair on fire when he saw the budget report, demanding immediate changes from the entire team.
Rather than calmly addressing the minor error, the director set his hair on fire and insisted that the entire project be scrapped immediately.
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abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
- 06
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 07
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
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air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
Last updated July 12, 2026