be on the warpath
slang To be overtly angry or looking for retribution. One of many expressions often considered offensive for making reference to Native American stereotypes or tropes. I'd avoid the boss if I were you—he's on the warpath and screaming at everyone he sees.
go on the warpath
To be furious about something and determined to seek retribution or punishment for those responsible. The phrase can be considered offensive for making reference to Native American stereotypes or tropes. The boss really went on the warpath after our supplier refused to pay us. He said he's going to sue them into oblivion!
on the warpath
Extremely angry and seeking retribution. I'd avoid the boss if I were you—he's been on the warpath since he found out we lost the Jefferson account.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
on the warpath
very angry. The boss is on the warpath again. Watch out! l am on the warpath about setting goals and standards again.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
on the warpath
Furious and on a hostile course of action, as in When the meat wasn't delivered, the chef went on the warpath. This expression was an English translation of a Native American term that literally means "a path used by a war party." Go on the war path thus meant "go to battle." It was used in this way by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841); its present hyperbolic use dates from the late 1800s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
on the warpath
If someone is on the warpath, they are very angry and getting ready for an argument or fight. Nolan was on the warpath after reading a bad review of his restaurant. The message is that consumers are on the warpath — and governments should beware. Note: Native Americans were said to be `on the warpath' when they were on an expedition to attack their enemies. The warpath was the path or route that they took.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
on the warpath
ready and eager for confrontation. The phrase originated with reference to American Indians heading towards a battle with an enemy.
1999 Cricketer This summer, England are on the warpath against New Zealand in a four test series.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
be/go on the ˈwarpath
(informal) be angry and ready for an argument or a fight about something: Look out — the boss is on the warpath again!In the past, if Native Americans were on the warpath, they were going to war or preparing to attack somebody.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
on the warpath
mod. very angry. I am on the warpath about setting goals and standards again.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
on the warpath, to be/go
To be infuriated enough to seek out the person or agency responsible. This Native American term was used quite literally by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841) to describe a character who had never engaged in battle (“He has never been on a warpath”). By the end of the nineteenth century it was loosely used to describe anyone on an angry rampage.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer