be possessed by (something)

To be obsessively motivated or driven by something. He has always been possessed by a need to be the center of attention, which is why he is playing those stupid pranks all the time. Because he grew up in such poverty, my father was possessed by a desire to be wealthy. Vanessa is the youngest of six siblings, and I think that's why she's possessed by a need to stand out—I suspect she got lost in the shuffle a lot at home.

See also: by, possessed

be possessed of (something)

To be in possession of something; to have something. Affidavits signed by the defendant affirm that he was possessed of all items listed in the police report at the time of his arrest. Successful applicants must be possessed of excellent communication skills. How are you not possessed of a pen? This is a graduate-level class—you should be more prepared!

become possessed by (something)

To become obsessively motivated or driven by something. I think being the youngest of six siblings led her to become possessed by a need for attention from adults. Because he grew up in such poverty, my father became possessed by a desire to be wealthy at a very young age. Ali was always such a shy kid. When did he become possessed by a need to be the center of attention at all times?

become possessed of (something)

To come into possession of something; to obtain something. Affidavits signed by the defendant affirm that he became possessed of all the items listed in the police report on the 31st of June. The pamphlet promises that students will become possessed of excellent communication skills by the end of the six-week course. I know the old man was a bystander, so how did he become possessed of a weapon when the fight broke out?

like a man/woman possessed

With such fierce intensity, energy, or enthusiasm that it seems to be out of one's control. After a punishing first round, the underdog has come out in the second round like a woman possessed. Knowing that his in-laws would be arriving soon, Mike started cleaning the house like a man possessed.

like a person possessed

With such fierce intensity, energy, or enthusiasm that it seems to be out of someone's control. After a punishing first round, the underdog boxer has come out fighting in the second round like a person possessed. Knowing that his in-laws would be arriving soon, Mike started cleaning the house like a person possessed.

like someone possessed

With such fierce intensity, energy, or enthusiasm that it seems to be out of someone's control. After a punishing first round, the underdog boxer has come out fighting in the second round like someone possessed. Knowing that his in-laws would be arriving soon, Mike started cleaning the house like someone possessed.

possessed by (something)

Obsessively motivated or driven by something. He has always been possessed by a need to be the center of attention, which is why he is playing those stupid pranks all the time. Because he grew up in such poverty, my father was possessed by a desire to be wealthy.

See also: by, possessed

possessed of (something)

In or having possession of something. Affidavits signed by the defendant affirm that he was possessed of all items listed in the police report at the time of his arrest. Successful applicants will be possessed of excellent communication skills and professional conduct.

What possessed (someone) to (do something)?

Why would someone do something so reckless, foolish, or dangerous? What possessed you to participate in a road race? You could have gotten yourself killed! What possessed them to discontinue such a popular product? They were selling like hotcakes!

*possessed by something

obsessed or driven by something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) Ned was possessed by a desire to become the best at everything he did. Jan acts as if she is possessed by the need to be right all the time.

See also: by, possessed

*possessed of something

having something; possessing something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) She is possessed of a large amount of money. Todd wishes he were possessed of a large car and a fine house.

possessed by

Driven by, obsessed with, as in He was possessed by the idea of becoming a millionaire. This idiom employs possess in the sense of "dominate one's thoughts or ideas," a usage dating from the late 1500s.

See also: by, possessed

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.

like someone possessed

very violently or wildly, as if under the control of an evil spirit.

like a man/woman posˈsessed

like one posˈsessed

with a lot of force or energy: He flew out of the room like a man possessed.

what(ever) posˈsessed somebody to do something?

used to ask why somebody did something bad, stupid, unexpected, etc: ‘She drove straight to the airport and got on the first plane.’ ‘What possessed her to do that?’This phrase refers to the belief that people can be controlled (‘possessed’) by an evil spirit.