PhrasesHub

Go berserk

    Definitions

      • become extremely angry or out of control
        To describe someone who is behaving in a wild, chaotic, and uncontrollable manner, typically as a result of intense anger or frustration.

      • become extremely excited or enthusiastic
        To express intense and unbridled enthusiasm, excitement, or passion for something, often in a frenzied or frenetic manner.

      • lose one's mind or sanity
        To describe a state of extreme mental or emotional breakdown, often characterized by irrational or erratic behavior, due to intense stress or trauma.

    Examples of Go berserk

    • The crowd went berserk as their favorite singer took the stage and started belting out her hits.

      In Norse mythology, berserkers were warriors who entered into a trance-like state, becoming wild and ferocious in battle. The idiom "go berserk" is used to describe someone or a group of people behaving in a similarly wild and uncontrollable manner. In this example, the audience became so enthusiastic and excited at the sight of their favorite singer that they behaved like berserkers, screaming, cheering, and jumping around with abandon.

    • The boss went berserk when he found out that his assistant had made a mistake that cost the company a major deal.

      Sometimes, the use of "go berserk" is more metaphorical, as in this example. Here, the boss didn't actually turn into a wild, Viking warrior, but his reaction was so intense and uncontrollable that it could be said to resemble the behavior of a berserker. His anger and frustration were out of proportion to the offense, and he may have acted impulsively or irrationally in the heat of the moment.

    • The team went berserk in the final minutes of the game, scoring point after point to make an improbable comeback.

      In some cases, "go berserk" might be used to describe a sudden, highly charged burst of energy or activity. Here, the team's performance in the final minutes of the game was so intense and spectacular that it could be said to resemble the behavior of a group of berserkers charging into battle. They may have played with a reckless abandon, taking risks and making dramatic moves that surprised and delighted their fans.

    • I can't stand it anymore – I'm about to go berserk!

      Finally, "go berserk" might be used as a metaphor for losing one's temper or nerves. In this example, the speaker is feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, to the point where they fear they may lose control and act impulsively or irrationally. They may be grappling with a stressful or difficult situation, and their reaction could be wild or unpredictable, like that of a berserker in battle.

    • Nathan went berserk when he found out that his precious car had been scratched by a careless shopper.

      In Norse mythology, a berserk was a warrior who could go into a trance-like state, becoming almost invincible in battle. The idiom 'go berserk' is now commonly used to describe someone who loses control and becomes extremely angry or frustrated, often over a minor issue. In Nathan's case, the slightest damage to his car was enough to set him off and send him into a fit of rage.

    • After the team lost the match, the coach let out a berserk scream, kicking over water bottles and slamming his clipboard on the ground.

      The usage of 'go berserk' here refers to the coach's sudden outburst of anger and aggressive behaviour, similar to that of the ancient berserks. He lost his temper and lashed out in a fit of rage, destroying nearby objects and making a scene.

    • When the printer jammed for the third time this week, Sarah felt like she was going berserk.

      In this instance, 'go berserk' is used metaphorically to describe Sarah's intense frustration and aggravation at the recurring technical problem. She's probably close to losing her cool, but hasn't quite reached the level of extreme anger that the berserk warriors of old were famous for.

    • The manager's sudden decision to restructure the entire department put everyone in a berserk frenzy.

      Here, 'go berserk' is used to describe a group of people's collective loss of composure and sense of order. The unexpected change in direction took everyone by surprise, causing confusion and uncertainty. The term 'berserk frenzy' highlights how chaotic and disorganized the situation became as a result.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "go berserk" is used to describe a state of extreme emotion or behavior, usually associated with anger, excitement, or mental instability. It conveys a sense of intense and uncontrolled energy, often in a negative or destructive way. It can also be used more lightheartedly to describe someone who is acting in a wild and chaotic manner due to excitement or enthusiasm. Overall, the idiom conveys a sense of losing control or going over the edge in one's emotions or actions.

    Origin of "Go berserk"

    The origin of the idiom "go berserk" can be traced back to Old Norse mythology, where berserkers were known as fierce warriors who fought in a trance-like state, often exhibiting uncontrollable and ferocious behavior. The word "berserk" comes from the Old Norse term "berserkr," which means "bear-shirt," as these warriors were said to wear animal skins into battle. Over time, the term evolved to describe someone who was in a state of frenzy or rage, similar to the berserkers in battle.

    In modern usage, the idiom "go berserk" first appeared in the late 19th century and was used to describe someone who was behaving in a wild and uncontrollable manner, much like the berserkers of Norse mythology. It has since become a common phrase in the English language, used to convey a sense of extreme emotion or behavior that is out of control.