Péter les plombs


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Informal French Expression

Meaning	to freak out, blow a fuse/gasket, lose one’s temper, go postal
Literally	to blow the fuses
Register	informal
Pronunciation		[pay tay lay plo(n)]
IPA		[pe te le plɔ̃]

Usage notes: The French expression péter les plombs is exactly equivalent to the English "to blow a fuse." Literally, they refer to electrical fuses, essential safety devices that blow when overloaded in order to prevent short circuits and other electrical problems.

Figuratively, both expressions allude to a person’s temper (e.g., he has a short fuse, it doesn’t take much for him to overload). So péter les plombs indicates that a person’s fuse has blown and he thus loses his temper.

Par exemple…

En voyant les dégâts, Jean a pété les plombs !		Upon seeing the damage, Jean blew a fuse!
J’ai peur de lui dire, elle va péter les plombs.		I’m afraid to tell her, she’s going to freak out.

Variation: péter un plomb

Synonyms: see the list at péter un câble