(as) mad as a March hare

The phrase alludes to hares' erratic behavior during their breeding season.

1. Crazy or deranged; particularly eccentric. I know some of my students think I'm as mad as a March hare because of my weird methods. I'll be mad as a March hare if I have to deal with these screaming toddlers for much longer. My family thinks I'm as mad as a March hare just because I practice a form of alternative medicine using magnetic fields.

2. Particularly cross or angry. Mom was mad as a March hare after I dented her brand-new car. John gets as mad as a March hare when he starts losing. Tiffany will be mad as a March hare when she finds out that her so-called friends started that awful rumor about her.

(as) mad as a March ˈhare

(informal) (of a person) crazyA March hare refers to a hare (= an animal like a large rabbit) that behaves very strangely in the breeding season.

mad as a

hatter/March hare

Crazy; mentally deranged.

mad as a March hare

Crazy. According to folklore, hares behave as though they're “sparring” with other hares and leaping around for no discernible reason during their breeding season. Their breeding season in Europe begins during the month of March.