Mandy's mom flipped when she saw her phone bill.

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Angliholic  #437953  Fri, 02 Nov 07 01:44 PM

Mandy's mom flipped when she saw her phone bill.

Mandy's mom flipped the/her lid when she saw her phone bill.

 

Are the above two utterances identical in meaning? If not, what does the first signify? Thanks.

  
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Grammar Geek  #437964  Fri, 02 Nov 07 02:24 PM

She flipped, or she flipped her lid, but not flipped the lid.

She also could have had a cow.

  
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Angliholic  #437968  Fri, 02 Nov 07 02:39 PM
 Grammar Geek wrote:

She flipped, or she flipped her lid, but not flipped the lid.

She also could have had a cow.

Thanks, GG.

Do you mean they all come across as the same idea?

For the sake of curiosity, I find your new version very intriguing and confusing at the same time. How could it convey the same idea as "She flipped her lid?" Would you shed more light on it? I'm all at seas now.

  
Grammar Geek  #438051  Fri, 02 Nov 07 07:55 PM

It's just another idiom.

Bart says it a lot in the Simpsons - Don't have a cow, man!

When my mother sees how many text messages I sent, she's going to flip.

When my mother sees how many text messages I sent, she's going flip to her freakin' lid!

When my mother sees how many text messages I sent, she's going to have an abolute cow!

They all mean "become very upset."

  
Philip  #438084  Fri, 02 Nov 07 09:39 PM
Other expressions:  'go postal', 'have a hernia', 'freak out', 'go crazy', 'blow her top (angry)'
  
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Goodman  #438094  Fri, 02 Nov 07 10:42 PM

 Philip wrote:
Other expressions:  'go postal',  'freak out', 'go crazy', 'blow her top (angry)'

I don't think 'have a hernia', works for a woman. You catch my drift!Big Smile [:D]

  
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Grammar Geek  #438106  Fri, 02 Nov 07 11:14 PM
I forgot blow a gasket
  
CalifJim  #438109  Fri, 02 Nov 07 11:21 PM
I believe it was John Steinbeck who shocked and amused me with "crapped a litter of lizards".  Smile [:)]

Was that in Grapes of Wrath?  I forget.

CJ

  
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Philip  #438130  Sat, 03 Nov 07 12:30 AM
 Goodman wrote:

 Philip wrote:
Other expressions:  'go postal',  'freak out', 'go crazy', 'blow her top (angry)'

I don't think 'have a hernia', works for a woman. You catch my drift!Big Smile [:D]

Hernias come in both genders.....just depends on where it is.
  
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