go ballistic
verbEtymology The idiomatic usage derives from the second-generation of jet fighters, armed with guided missiles, in the late 1950s into the 1960s, with the informal military sense of fully-powered non-ballistic missiles going ballistic when losing control and assuming a free-fall trajectory, sense 3. But in subsequent usage the term has often become associated with the intentionally ballistic, suborbital trajectories of long-range, typically nuclear-armed missiles, sense 2.
Idiomatic To become very angry and irrational.
- She'd go ballistic, possibly even fling a fireball or two, if she knew Selene had him in her apartment.1964, Elle James and Pamela Kent, Enemy Lover
- Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Hey, sorry for going ballistic back there. I think the whole Julie-being-alive thing affected me more than I thought.2011 Allen Gregory, "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1)
1 more example
- The guy went ballistic when I tried to tell him he couldn't return the socks if the package had been opened.
Aerospace, Business, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences for a usually rocket-powered, predominantly non-glide projectile or aerial vehicle, such as a ballistic missile, to travel to its target partly via unpowered ballistic or quasi-ballistic flight, usually following burnout of its rocket motor
- SRAM is a very flexible weapon. It has a ballistic trajectory. It can be launched and go ballistic into its target for a long range... and it can go short range at very low levels.1978, United States Senate, Part 8 of Fiscal year 1978 authorization for military procurement, research and development, and active duty, selected reserve, and civilian personnel strengths: hearings before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, Ninety-fifth Congress, first session, on S. 1210
Government, Military, Politics, War Slang for a powered, usually guided missile or other aerial vehicle to travel on an unguided or ballistic trajectory, having lost power, control or guidance
- I... fired two AIM-7s in a ripple. One AIM-7 went ballistic. The other guided but passed behind the MIG and did not detonate. Knowing that I was then too close for further AIM-7 firing...1976, Robert Frank Futrell, The United States Air Force in Southeast Asia-- aces and aerial victories, 1965-1973
- In the case of retarded bombs released at too high a speed, the retarding fins might tear away and allow the bomb to go ballistic.1986, Alfred Price, Air Battle Central Europe
1 more example
- Putting something between you and the guidance radar will cause the missile to go ballistic.1983, Michael Skinner, USAFE: A primer of modern air combat in Europe