seeing-red
/ˌsiː.ɪŋ ˈred/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
Very angry, so angry that you may lose control. It describes a strong sudden feeling, not a physical change.
- He was seeing red after the unfair comment.
- I could see she was seeing red.
- Don't talk to him now; he's seeing red.
Adinary Nuance
Seeing red is stronger than simply angry or annoyed. It suggests a sudden, intense reaction, often with little self-control. Use it for a vivid, informal description, not for calm or professional writing. It is closer to furious than to upset.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- giận đỏ mặt
- Spanish
- ver rojo
- Chinese
- 怒火中烧
- Japanese
- かっとなる
- Korean
- 분통이 터지다
Etymology
This phrase comes from the old idea that strong anger is like a red haze or vision. It became common in English in the 19th century.
Common phrases
seeing red with ragego seeing redmake someone see red
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is seeing red formal or informal?
- It is informal. Use it in speech, stories, and casual writing.
- Is seeing red the same as angry?
- Not exactly. Seeing red means much stronger anger, often sudden and intense.
- Can I use seeing red in IELTS writing?
- Usually avoid it in formal IELTS writing. Use furious or extremely angry instead.