Master 8 English Phrasal Verbs to Show Anger

There are a huge number of phrasal verbs in English that cover different subjects and can be used in various situations.

For example, today I’ll tell you about eight phrasal verbs that can be used to express anger.

As human beings, we all experience moments that challenge our ability to stay calm and composed. It’s completely natural to encounter situations where maintaining our cool can feel nearly impossible.

In this article, you’ll discover effective ways to express your feelings of indignation and anger in English. We’ll specifically focus on how to articulate the reasons behind your bad mood, allowing you to communicate your emotions more clearly.

•      Get to somebody

This phrasal verb in English means “to upset, bother, or exasperate someone, or affect in some negative way.”

For example:

•         Smoking gets to me.
•         The heat was beginning to get to me so I went indoors.
•      Wind somebody up

The second phrasal verb on our list means “to make someone irritated, annoyed or angry.”

For example:

•         Our politicians wind me up.
•         He always knows how to wind me up.
•      Piss somebody off

You’ve likely come across this casual expression in various movies and TV shows aimed at younger viewers. The phrasal verb “piss off” is commonly used to convey the idea of making someone angry or irritated.

For example:

•         His behaviour pisses me off.
•         She never does any washing up, and it’s starting to piss me off.
•      Work somebody up

The phrasal verb “work somebody up” refers to the act of causing someone to feel angry or upset. When used in relation to oneself, it describes a state of becoming excessively worried or anxious about a situation.

For example:

•         Try not to work yourself up on the exams.
•         My brother works me up. He knows how to make me angry.
•      Tick somebody off

This phrasal verb means “to annoy; to make angry.”

For example:

•         The teacher ticks me off.
•         Mary ticks me off when she’s trying to make everything perfect.
•      Blow up

This phrasal verb means “to have a sudden, sharp burst of anger.” It usually involves yelling angrily at someone.

For example:

•         When I see them together, I could just blow up.
•         My dad blew up when he saw the bill.
•      Freak out

This well-known expression captures a powerful emotional response that many can relate to. It describes a state of being so overwhelmed by anger, surprise, excitement, or fear that it becomes challenging to maintain self-control.

•         Yesterday my teacher freaked me out.
•         It’s really freaking me out!
•         My parents will freak out if we leave home.
•    Lash out at somebody

At times, intense frustration can lead someone to erupt in anger, often resulting in shouting at another person. This captures the essence of our eighth phrasal verb, “lashing out.” While it typically refers to verbal outbursts, it can also encompass physical attacks.

For example:

•         She lashed out at me last night.
•         Megan was jealous and angry, so she lashed out at you.

It’s important to note that the phrasal verbs mentioned are just a glimpse into the vast array of expressions available to convey feelings of anger.

There are also many idiomatic expressions and slang words.

The phrasal verbs “calm down” and “chill out” both refer to the process of easing one’s anger and emotions. When someone calms down or chills out, they start to feel more relaxed and composed.

This is just so you know.

Be angry less often, and smile more.

“Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa