What does “Go Berserk” mean?

"Go Berserk" means to become extremely angry or out of control.

What context can I use the in?

Example

When he found out about the betrayal, he went berserk and started smashing things.

Example

The crowd went berserk when their team scored the winning goal.

Example

She went berserk when she saw the mess her kids had made in the living room

Is “Go Berserk” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Go Berserk” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Go Berserk” effectively in context?

You can use "Go Berserk" to describe someone becoming extremely angry or losing control of their emotions. It emphasizes a sudden and intense outburst of anger or rage. For example, if someone becomes furious and starts breaking things after receiving bad news, you might say, 'He went berserk and started smashing everything in sight.'

1Anger
When he found out about the betrayal, he went berserk and started smashing things.
2Excitement
The crowd went berserk when their team scored the winning goal.
3Frustration
She went berserk when she saw the mess her kids had made in the living room.

Similar phrases to “Go Berserk”:

Lose one's temper

To become angry and lose control of one's emotions

Example

He lost his temper and started shouting at everyone.

Fly off the handle

To suddenly become very angry and lose control

Example

She flew off the handle when she heard the news.

Blow a fuse

To become extremely angry or lose control

Example

He blew a fuse when he saw the mess in the kitchen.

Hit the roof

To become very angry and show it

Example

She hit the roof when she found out about the broken vase.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Go Berserk” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Go Berserk" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word 'berserkr,' which referred to a warrior who fought in a state of uncontrollable rage and frenzy. These warriors were known for their wild and violent behavior on the battlefield.

Is “Go Berserk” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Go Berserk" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe extreme anger or loss of control in various situations.

What tone does “Go Berserk” have?

"Go Berserk" conveys a tone of intense emotion and chaos. It is used to describe someone's explosive reaction or behavior when they are extremely angry or out of control.

Can “Go Berserk” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Go Berserk" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in casual conversations among friends, family, or colleagues. However, it can also be used in more formal situations to emphasize a strong emotional response.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He saw the mess and went berserk.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "go berserk"!' to express excitement or frustration.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

stay calm
keep one's cool
remain composed
stay collected
control one's emotions