Do you ever feel like you’re about to blow a fuse or blow a gasket? Well, not literally, I hope. If you’ve ever wondered about what these phrases mean, I’ve got you. Let’s dissect these fascinating idioms and learn how to use them properly.
Is It Blow a Fuse or Blow a Gasket?
You might be thinking, “Wait, aren’t fuses and gaskets things in cars and electronics?” Well, yes, you’re right. But in the world of idioms, they take on a different meaning. Both blow a fuse and blow a gasket are correct, and they’re often used interchangeably. But their origins and contexts might differ slightly.
Blow a Gasket Meaning Explained

When someone blows a gasket, they become very angry or upset and lose their cool. Think of it as a metaphorical explosion of emotion. No mechanical skills are required.
Is Throw a Gasket Correct?
Although the language is flexible, the more commonly used phrase is blow a gasket, not throw a gasket. But hey, in the heat of the moment, if someone understands what you mean, that’s what really matters, right?
Blow a Gasket Origin and Etymology

This idiom started out in the 1800s, derived from the world of machinery. When a gasket (a seal in an engine) fails, it can “blow,” which usually results in a dramatic release of steam or energy—a pretty fitting metaphor for someone losing their cool!
Blow a Gasket and Blow a Fuse Synonyms
Sometimes synonyms can put things in perspective because they help us connect meanings to more familiar phrases.
- Lose your temper
- Go ballistic
- Hit the roof
- See red
- Fly off the handle
Blow a Gasket and Blow a Fuse Examples in a Sentence

Alright, it’s time to see these phrases in proper use. Check out these sentence examples I whipped up.
- When my boss found out about the missing report, he blew a fuse right there in the office.
- My mom is going to blow a gasket when she sees this mess I’ve made in the kitchen!
- Don’t blow a fuse, but we’re out of coffee, and it’s a holiday, so everything is closed.
- She blew a gasket when she realized she’d mixed up the dates and missed the deadline.
- When the soccer team lost the championship, the coach blew a fuse.
- Chill out. The last thing I want is for you to blow a gasket over something so trivial.
- My dad blew a gasket when he saw the dent in his new car.
- When the plane was delayed again, I blew a fuse.
- If you keep breaking her trust, she’s eventually going to blow a gasket.
Cooling Down
So that’s my deep dive into the phrases blow a fuse and blow a gasket. But remember that it’s always better to keep your cool rather than blow a gasket! The world of idioms is vast and exciting, isn’t it? Stay tuned for more idiom explanations, synonyms and examples because I’ve got plenty.