be on/have a short fuse

be on 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'm on a short fuse. When we were kids, my dad was always on a short fuse, but he's mellowed out since then. If you're always on a short fuse like that, it's going to get you into trouble one of these days.

See also: fuse, on, short

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 a short fuse

or

have a short fuse

If someone is on a short fuse or has a short fuse, they lose their temper very easily. He warned Abbott that he was on a short fuse. He is irritable and has a short fuse, letting you know when he's not pleased. Note: See the explanation at light the fuse.

See also: fuse, on, short

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

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.