To fly off the handle, verb. phr. (American pioneer).—To lose temper; to fail of a promise; to jilt; to die; also to slip off the handle (q.v.); to disappoint in any way. [In pioneer life for an axe to part company with its handle is a serious trial to temper and patience.]
1843–4. Haliburton, The Attaché. You never see such a crotchical old critter as he is. He flies right off the handle for nothing.
1867. Home Journal (New York), 21 July (speaking of a man who had succeeded to a large fortune it says) he went off the handle in England rather unexpectedly.
1871. De Vere, Americanisms, p. 195. If a fair lady loses her temper, or worst of all, if she breaks the tender promise, she is said to fly off the handle, and the disappointment is as serious to the unlucky lover as a lost axe to many a settler.
1888. Pittsburg Chronicle. ‘I can’t say that I’am stuck on Sue Fitzpercy,’ remarked Amy. ‘She is liable to fly off the handle.’
To fly out, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To get angry; to scold.
1612. Chapman, Widow’s Tears, Act II., p. 317 (Plays, 1874). For wherefore rage wives at their husbands so when they fly out? for zeal against the sin?
1665–6. Pepys, Diary, 17 Jan. It is to be feared that the Parliament will fly out against him and particular men, the next Session.
1712. Spectator, No. 479. He (Socrates) has said, My dear friend, you are beholden to Xantippe, that I bear so well your flying out in a dispute.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, ch. xx. ‘And then the Colonel flies out about his boy, and says that my wife insulted him!’ [[43]]