have (got) a short fuse

have (got) a short fuse

To have a tendency to become angered, enraged, or upset very quickly or easily; to have a short temper. I'm usually a pretty calm person, but whenever I start driving I find I have such a short fuse. When we were kids, my dad had a very short fuse, but he's mellowed out since then. Wendy's always had a short fuse, and, yes, it has gotten her into trouble before!

See also: fuse, have, short

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be on/have a short ˈfuse

(informal) be likely to get angry easily, because you are tired, stressed, etc: Your father’s having trouble at work, so his temper’s on a short fuse today. ♢ Be careful what you say to the director. She has a very short fuse.

A fuse is a piece of string or paper which is lit to make a bomb explode.

See also: fuse, have, on, short

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

have a short fuse

tv. to be easy to anger. (Have got can replace have.) He’s got a short fuse, so watch out.

See also: fuse, have, short

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.