PhrasesHub

Stark, raving mad

    Definitions

      • emphasize extreme madness
        To describe someone who is completely and uncontrollably insane or irrational

      • intensify a feeling or emotion
        To emphasize a strong and intense feeling or emotion, such as anger or frustration

    Examples of Stark, raving mad

    • The patient's behavior in the psychiatric ward was stark, raving mad. He was screaming and throwing things at the walls, completely losing touch with reality.

      In this example, "stark, raving mad" is being used to describe the intensity and severity of the patient's mental state. It literally means "extremely crazy" or "completely insane" in a dramatic and exaggerated way. "Stark" means clear or intense, while "raving" refers to wild or extreme behavior. Together, the expression paints a vivid picture of someone who is utterly out of their mind.

    • After losing his job and his home, John's actions became stark, raving mad. He started drinking heavily and forgetting to pay his bills, leading to a string of lawsuits and legal troubles.

      Here, "stark, raving mad" is being used metaphorically to describe John's erratic and irrational behavior as a result of his severe emotional and financial distress. Again, the phrase emphasizes the intensity and extremity of his actions, as if he has lost all reason and rationality.

    • The party went stark, raving mad when the power unexpectedly went out, plunging the entire venue into darkness.

      In this example, "stark, raving mad" is being used as a figure of speech to convey the dramatic and chaotic events that took place during the party as a result of the power outage. It highlights the sense of chaos and pandemonium that ensued, as if the partygoers had completely lost their senses in the midst of the unexpected turn of events.

    • The president's health concerns have sent the entire nation into a stark, raving mad frenzy of speculation and rumor-mongering.

      This final example uses "stark, raving mad" to illustrate the sudden and intense speculation and rumor-mongering that arose as a result of the president's health issues. It underscores the intensity of the public's concern and the severity of the situation, as if everyone had completely lost their minds in their efforts to understand and anticipate what might happen next.

    • The CEO's new idea to launch a company-wide pillow fight seems stark, raving mad.

      In this example, "stark, raving mad" is used to convey that the CEO's idea is so bizarre and impractical that it borders on insanity. It is an idiomatic expression that describes something that is completely insane or ridiculous, often in an exaggerated or humorous way.

    • She's been working around the clock and hasn't slept in days. Her behavior is stark, raving mad!

      In this example, "stark, raving mad" is used to express that the subject's behavior, caused by exhaustion, is so erratic and unusual that it seems almost insane. It is a colorful and dramatic way to convey extreme behavior or actions.

    • After we hit every red light on the way to the store, I think I'm going stark, raving mad!

      In this example, "stark, raving mad" is used to express that the speaker's patience has reached its limit due to a series of frustrating or irritating events. It is a way to convey that the speaker is near his or her breaking point.

    • The sudden and unexpected twist in the plot left me stark, raving mad!

      In this example, "stark, raving mad" is used to express that the speaker is completely surprised, amazed, and bewildered by an unexpected event or situation. It is an idiomatic expression that describes a strong and intense emotional reaction.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "stark, raving mad" is used to emphasize extreme madness or irrationality, often to describe someone who is completely out of control or to intensify a strong feeling or emotion. It can be used in a literal sense to describe someone who is mentally unstable, or figuratively to emphasize a strong emotion such as anger or frustration.

    Origin of "Stark, raving mad"

    The origin of the idiom "stark, raving mad" can be traced back to the 16th century, where "stark" meant completely and "raving" was used to describe someone who was speaking wildly or irrationally. Over time, the phrase evolved to emphasize extreme madness and irrationality, and is now used to describe someone who is completely out of control or to intensify a strong feeling or emotion. The use of "mad" in the idiom further emphasizes the extreme nature of the madness being described. Overall, the idiom has its roots in describing complete and uncontrollable insanity or irrationality. For example, "After finding out about the prank, he was stark, raving mad."