When emotions run high, it’s comforting to have the right words to express what we’re feeling — especially when things feel a little off-kilter. That’s where idioms come in. These colorful expressions give us a way to describe moments when we, or someone we know, feel like we’re losing control or overwhelmed by life’s chaos. Whether it’s in a light-hearted sense or something deeper, this list of 25 idioms for going crazy will help you communicate with warmth, empathy, and clarity.
As someone who has worked in mental wellness and communication coaching for over a decade, I understand the power of language to connect us. These idioms are more than phrases — they’re tools to help us express complex emotions while staying compassionate and mindful of others’ experiences. Let’s dive in.
1. Go off the deep end
Meaning: To become extremely emotional or mentally unstable.
In a sentence: After the breakup, she went off the deep end for a while.
Best use: When someone reacts more intensely than expected.
Other ways to say: Lose control, flip out, break down.
2. Lose your marbles
Meaning: To become mentally unstable or irrational.
In a sentence: I think he’s losing his marbles dealing with all that stress.
Best use: Used humorously to describe forgetfulness or eccentric behavior.
Other ways to say: Crack up, go bananas, lose it.
3. Go bananas
Meaning: To act in a wild or crazy way.
In a sentence: The kids went bananas when school was canceled.
Best use: Playful and light-hearted situations.
Other ways to say: Go nuts, freak out, get carried away.
4. Hit the roof
Meaning: To become suddenly and extremely angry.
In a sentence: Dad hit the roof when he saw the mess in the kitchen.
Best use: Expressing explosive frustration.
Other ways to say: Blow up, go ballistic, see red.
5. Blow a fuse
Meaning: To lose one’s temper quickly.
In a sentence: She blew a fuse when she saw the email.
Best use: Describing emotional outbursts.
Other ways to say: Lose it, lash out, go off.
6. Go haywire
Meaning: To behave erratically or malfunction.
In a sentence: Everything went haywire when the system crashed.
Best use: Technical or emotional chaos.
Other ways to say: Break down, go berserk, unravel.
7. Flip your lid
Meaning: To suddenly become very angry or irrational.
In a sentence: My boss flipped his lid over a minor mistake.
Best use: Overreactions in heated moments.
Other ways to say: Snap, hit the ceiling, go ballistic.
8. Crack up
Meaning: To break down emotionally or mentally.
In a sentence: He cracked up under pressure before finals.
Best use: Describing intense emotional exhaustion.
Other ways to say: Break down, lose it, fall apart.
9. Go berserk
Meaning: To act in a violent or crazed manner.
In a sentence: He went berserk when he saw his car had been towed.
Best use: Extreme anger or confusion.
Other ways to say: Go wild, freak out, go ballistic.
10. Out of one’s mind
Meaning: Acting irrationally or foolishly.
In a sentence: She must be out of her mind to quit that job.
Best use: Reflects disbelief at someone’s actions.
Other ways to say: Crazy, unhinged, not thinking straight.
11. Batty
Meaning: Slightly eccentric or crazy (in a sweet way).
In a sentence: Our neighbor is a little batty, but she’s lovely.
Best use: Affectionately describing quirks.
Other ways to say: Quirky, eccentric, kooky.
12. Bonkers
Meaning: Crazy or mad.
In a sentence: This weather is absolutely bonkers!
Best use: Expressing disbelief or surprise.
Other ways to say: Nuts, bananas, crackers.
13. Mad as a hatter
Meaning: Completely insane.
In a sentence: He’s mad as a hatter, but brilliant.
Best use: Classic and whimsical expression.
Other ways to say: Loony, eccentric, crazy.
14. Off your rocker
Meaning: Acting unusually or irrationally.
In a sentence: She must be off her rocker spending that much money.
Best use: Used humorously or critically.
Other ways to say: Nuts, bonkers, loopy.
15. Not playing with a full deck
Meaning: Lacking common sense or acting oddly.
In a sentence: That guy’s not playing with a full deck.
Best use: Suggesting someone’s ideas are off.
Other ways to say: Lacking awareness, a few screws loose.
16. Have a screw loose
Meaning: Acting strange or irrational.
In a sentence: He’s got a screw loose, I swear.
Best use: Lightly critical tone.
Other ways to say: Offbeat, odd, unbalanced.
17. Climb the walls
Meaning: Feel anxious, restless, or trapped.
In a sentence: Being stuck inside is making me climb the walls.
Best use: Restless energy or cabin fever.
Other ways to say: Stir-crazy, on edge, fidgety.
18. Stir-crazy
Meaning: Going crazy from being confined.
In a sentence: After three snow days, the kids were stir-crazy.
Best use: Common in winter or quarantine contexts.
Other ways to say: Cabin fever, anxious, bored to death.
19. Go loco
Meaning: To act wild or irrational.
In a sentence: They went completely loco at the concert.
Best use: High-energy scenarios.
Other ways to say: Wild out, lose it, go nuts.
20. Off the rails
Meaning: Losing control of behavior or direction.
In a sentence: His life went off the rails after the accident.
Best use: Sudden, dramatic changes.
Other ways to say: Spiral, derail, crash and burn.
21. Freak out
Meaning: To panic or react intensely.
In a sentence: I totally freaked out when I lost my phone.
Best use: Everyday intense reactions.
Other ways to say: Panic, melt down, go off.
22. Go nuts
Meaning: To act crazy or be extremely enthusiastic.
In a sentence: The crowd went nuts when the team scored.
Best use: Energetic reactions — good or bad.
Other ways to say: Lose it, go wild, go bonkers.
23. Get carried away
Meaning: To get overly excited or emotional.
In a sentence: I got carried away shopping online.
Best use: Losing track of limits.
Other ways to say: Overdo it, go overboard, lose perspective.
24. Have a meltdown
Meaning: To lose control emotionally, usually from stress.
In a sentence: She had a meltdown after the third deadline change.
Best use: Empathetic tone for burnout.
Other ways to say: Break down, fall apart, snap.
25. Pop a vein
Meaning: To become visibly and physically angry.
In a sentence: I thought he was going to pop a vein when the bill arrived.
Best use: Exaggerated, humorous anger.
Other ways to say: Blow a gasket, rage, go ballistic.
Conclusion: Speaking with Compassion When Things Feel Crazy
We all face moments when life feels overwhelming, when emotions spike, or when we just can’t seem to keep it all together — and that’s okay. Having empathic and expressive idioms gives us the language to connect with others and ourselves in times of stress or excitement. The key is to use these idioms with awareness and kindness, especially when talking about someone’s mental or emotional state.
Whether you’re trying to lighten the mood, relate to a friend, or simply put feelings into words, these idioms can help you speak with warmth, humanity, and heart. Remember: it’s not about labeling people, but understanding them better.
