PhrasesHub

As mad as a March hare

    Definitions

      • craziness or madness
        Used to describe someone who is acting in an irrational or illogical manner, often as a result of temporary insanity or extreme excitement

      • extreme behavior or actions
        Refers to someone who is behaving in an extreme or exaggerated manner, often without considering the consequences or potential harm to themselves or others

      • uncontrollable laughter or excitement
        Describes someone who is laughing or expressing excitement in a wild and uninhibited manner, similar to the behavior of a hare during the mating season in March

    Examples of As mad as a March hare

    • Sarah was acting as mad as a March hare during the team meeting. She kept jumping around, talking quickly, and making nonsensical statements.

      This idiom means that someone is behaving in a very irrational and unpredictable way, similar to the behavior of a hare during the breeding season in March when they become hyperactive and unpredictable.As blind as a bat

    • Tom was as blind as a bat when he tried to navigate through the dark alley. He kept bumping into walls and couldn't see anything in front of him.

      This idiom means that someone is completely unaware or unable to see something that is obvious or easy to see, similar to the inability of bats to see in the dark.As happy as a clam

    • Jane was as happy as a clam when she received the good news. She couldn't stop smiling and was completely content.

      This idiom means that someone is extremely happy and content, similar to the behavior of clams when they are undisturbed and in their natural environment.As sick as a dog

    • Mark was as sick as a dog yesterday. He couldn't stop coughing and had no appetite.

      This idiom means that someone is extremely ill and sick, similar to the symptoms of a sick dog.Pulling someone's leg

    • John was pulling my leg when he told me that he won the lottery. I knew he was joking because he had a smirk on his face.

      This idiom means that someone is teasing or joking with someone, similar to the action of pulling someone's leg to make them move.


    Conclusion

    "As mad as a March hare" is a commonly used idiom to describe someone who is acting in a crazy or irrational manner. It can also refer to someone who is exhibiting extreme behavior or uncontrollable excitement. The phrase is often used in a humorous or lighthearted manner, but can also carry a negative connotation if the behavior being described is seen as harmful or dangerous.

    Origin of "As mad as a March hare"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was first recorded in a poem by Thomas More titled "The Treatyse of the Laste Joyes." In the poem, More describes a character as being "as mad as a March hare," highlighting the hare's well-known behavior during the mating season in March.

    Hares are known for their erratic and unpredictable behavior during this time, often chasing and boxing with other hares in a display of excitement and aggression. This behavior can be seen as madness or craziness, leading to the use of the phrase to describe someone who is behaving in a similarly wild and uninhibited manner.

    The phrase gained even more popularity in the 19th century with the publication of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," in which the character of the March Hare is depicted as being eccentric and unpredictable. This further solidified the connection between hares and madness in the minds of English speakers, cementing the idiom as a common expression to describe irrational behavior.