We all have bad days, and we all have at least the occasional wave of anger toward someone or something. Expressing your emotions is healthy, and this is certainly as true for anger as it is for any other emotion. While yelling or screaming things in your own language, kicking walls, slamming doors, and stalking off irritated can help you reduce anger, nothing beats communicating your anger with someone in words they understand.
The word “anger” in English refers to a negative feeling of frustration, disappointment, or even rage. In this article, we’ll answer the question “How can I express my anger in English?” and teach you some of the most commonly used angry English expressions.
By learning angry phrases in English, you will have a whole arsenal of things to tell people in the U.S. when you’re angry. Expressing anger in English can open doors to communication. And sometimes it just feels good. (But, of course, at some point you’ll need to cool down—for some tips and advice, scroll to the bottom of this article.)
Are you ready? Here’s EnglishClass101’s guide to getting angry in English, complete with many mad with anger sentences in English!
Table of Contents
- Angry Imperatives
- Angry Warnings
- Angry Blames
- Describing How You Feel
- Bonus: How to Calm Yourself Down When You’re Angry
- How EnglishClass101 Can Help You Express Yourself in English
1. Angry Imperatives
You use an angry imperative when you want to tell someone what to do. The angry English phrases below are useful for communicating when someone needs to stop what they’re doing!
1- Shut up!
Meaning:
When you tell someone to “shut up,” you’re demanding that they stop talking. Essentially, it’s like telling someone to shut their mouth (which, interestingly, is another common angry sentence in English).
Example:
A mother and her teenage son get into a big fight; one of them says something the other doesn’t like, so they yell “Shut up!”
Additional Notes:
While this is traditionally an “angry” phrase, it’s also used in two other contexts:
1) Jokingly telling someone to shut up (like if one best friend is teasing another)
2) Sometimes this phrase is said when someone is saying something good, though this is less common. For example, if someone tells you they’re taking you to Disneyland for your birthday, you might say “Shut up!” in excitement or disbelief.
2- Stop it.
Meaning:
Use this phrase to tell someone to quit doing whatever they’re doing. (And you mean now!)
Example:
Your family continually teases you about something, and you can’t take it anymore so you yell “Stop it!”
Additional Notes:
Like the phrase above, this phrase is occasionally used in a joking manner, like between friends. That said, if someone says this to you and you’re not quite sure if they’re serious or not, it’s better to be on the safe side and stop.
3- Cut it out!
Meaning:
This phrase means exactly the same thing as “stop it” but is generally less serious.
Example:
A parent might use this angry phrase with his or her children to get them to calm down or stop behaving inappropriately.
Additional Notes:
Can be used jokingly or in mild situations.
4- Leave me alone.
Meaning:
Sometimes, you just need to be by yourself while you calm down and collect yourself. This phrase tells someone to let you do that (with the implication that you’ll be even angrier if they don’t leave you alone).
Example:
You and your significant other get in a big fight, and out of desperation to be alone and temporarily stop the fighting, you say “leave me alone.”
Additional Notes:
While the other phrases in this section are often used jokingly, this phrase tends to be more serious and is less frequently used jokingly. If someone says this to you, it’s best to “give them some space” (leave them alone).
5- Get lost.
Meaning:
When you tell someone to “get lost,” it’s the same as telling them to leave you alone or go away. This tends to be a more derogatory way of saying “leave you alone,” and implies that not only do you want them to go away, but you also don’t really care where they go. You’re so angry you just want them gone.
Example:
You’re fighting with a close friend or family member about something serious, and then you tell them to “get lost.” Because this person is close to you, these words are meant to hurt them and show your anger by implying that you don’t care where they go.
Additional Notes:
From time to time, this phrase can be used jokingly or lovingly, but not very often.
2. Angry Warnings
When you feel anger beginning to bubble up inside you, or when someone’s about to cross a serious line, it’s only fair to give them a warning. Use the English angry phrases below to let someone know you’re getting angry with them.
1- Don’t mess with me.
Meaning:
Say this to someone if they’re starting to make you angry, especially if they’re saying mean things or trying to physically hurt you. This is meant to warn them that if they don’t stop, you’re going to fight back.
Example:
You’re at school and another student comes up to you and starts making fun of you or is bothering you in general. You could say, “Don’t mess with me,” as a warning that they need to stop.
2- You’re asking for trouble.
Meaning:
This is similar to the phrase above. It means that if the other person won’t leave you alone or stop what they’re doing, you’re going to fight back.
Example:
Someone living in your apartment complex tries to start a fight with you. You could tell them “You’re asking for trouble,” as a warning that if they start a fight, you’ll fight back and win.
Additional Notes:
I don’t recommend using this angry sentence in English very often, if at all. It’s best used when you feel like you’re in some kind of danger and want the other party to back off and leave you alone.
3- Okay, you asked for it!
Meaning:
Use this phrase if the other party didn’t heed your earlier warnings. This phrase is warning them that because they didn’t listen before, you’re going to fight back.
Example:
The person at your apartment who tried to start a fight didn’t back down, so now you’d say, “Okay, you asked for it!”
4- Don’t make me say it again.
Meaning:
This angry phrase is often used between two people who are close: family members, close friends, or significant others. On occasion, it may be used by a teacher to a student (or an entire classroom).
When you say this phrase, it means that you’ve already told the person to stop doing something and they didn’t listen. This phrase implies that if you have to tell them again, you’ll be so angry that they’d better watch out!
Example:
You’re renting an apartment with a friend, and they haven’t been paying the full amount they owe. You’ve been telling them for months that they have to start paying more, but they won’t listen. During an argument over the rent money, you say “Don’t make me say it again!”
This phrase is often followed by the words “or else…,” which means that there will be a negative consequence if they don’t listen (e.g. your friend can’t live with you anymore).
5- This is my last warning.
Meaning:
This is a very classic phrase that children growing up in the U.S. often hear from their parents. It’s very similar to the phrase above, but it implies even further that there will be negative consequences if they don’t listen.
Example:
A mother has repeatedly told her young child not to run in the house. Finally, after the thirteenth time, she pulls him aside and says, “No more running through the house. This is my last warning.”
6- I don’t want to see you again.
Meaning:
Use this phrase when someone very close to you has done something to hurt you. It means that you’re so hurt and angry by what they did or said that you hope to never see them again. Sometimes, it can be used as a cue for them to leave.
Example:
You significant other did something that really hurt you or made you angry. So you tell them “I don’t want to see you again!”
7- I will not tolerate that.
Meaning:
This phrase is most commonly used by teachers to their students (or whole classrooms) and by parents to their children. It can also be used between friends and significant others.
When you use this phrase, it means that someone crossed a line or did something they really shouldn’t have done. Saying this indicates that if it happens again, there will be very negative consequences.
Example:
A student starts saying bad things to a teacher or is severely misbehaving in class. The teacher pulls the student aside and says “I will not tolerate that!”
8- How many times do I have to tell you?
Meaning:
This phrase is similar in meaning to “Don’t make me say it again” but is actually less angry and more frustrated. It means that you’re very disappointed and frustrated with someone for not listening to you or doing what you want them to do.
You can use this phrase in a wide variety of situations and across different relationship barriers (e.g. you can use this phrase equally toward a significant other, a co-worker, or your child).
Example:
Your friend has been bothering you all week to go to an event with them the following weekend. You keep telling them no, but they keep insisting. Finally, you’re so annoyed with them that you say “How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want to go.”
9- You’re getting on my last nerve.
Meaning:
When you use this phrase, it means that someone is getting very close to making you angry (or angrier).
Example:
A family member just won’t leave you alone about something. You’re getting really annoyed with them, so you say “You’re getting on my last nerve,” to warn them that they should stop.
Additional Notes:
Sometimes, you may hear something along the lines of “You’re pushing my buttons.” This phrase may sound odd, but it really just means the same thing as “You’re getting on my last nerve.”
10- I’ve had enough.
Meaning:
This is both an angry phrase and a phrase of defeat. It means that you’re both very angry and weary of fighting or arguing and you just want it to stop. This phrase is often said in an assertive tone and means something similar to “stop it.”
Example:
You and your co-workers are arguing about something at work, and you’re really stressed out. You’re frustrated and angry that your co-workers won’t listen to you so you finally say “I’ve had enough,” and leave the room if possible.
3. Angry Blames
Oftentimes, a person’s first reaction to a stressful situation or something that angers them is to blame someone. Use the phrases below to express your disappointment toward someone’s words or actions and to show that you’re angry at them for something that happened. Note that many of these are angry questions in English, and don’t really require an answer.
1- What were you thinking?
Meaning:
Use this phrase when someone does something really stupid or something that makes you angry. It implies that they must not have been thinking clearly to do something as terrible as they did.
Example:
A father finds out that his daughter snuck out of the house a few nights ago. He approaches her about it and asks, “What were you thinking?”
2- Who do you think you are?
Meaning:
This phrase implies that you don’t like the attitude of the person you’re angry with. Say this to someone if you think they’re acting too prideful or rude, and it’s making you angry.
Example:
You’re standing in line at a restaurant and someone cuts in front of you. You’re already having a bad day, so you tell them “Who do you think you are?”
3- Are you out of your mind?
Meaning:
This phrase is very similar to “What were you thinking?” but is generally used in more serious situations, or when the person did something terrible.
Example:
You and one of your friends get into a big argument, and they grab your cell phone and throw it across the room. You immediately ask them, “Are you out of your mind?”
4- What’s wrong with you?
Meaning:
This is similar to “What were you thinking?” and “Are you out of your mind?” When you say this phrase to someone, it implies that you think the only way they could be acting the way they are is if there’s something wrong with them.
Example:
You’ve just told someone not to do something, and they did it just to make you angry. You say “What’s wrong with you?”
Additional Notes:
You may sometimes hear the phrases “You’re sick,” “You’re messed up,” or “You’re crazy,” especially on television. These all mean practically the same thing.
5- You aren’t listening to me.
Meaning:
This blame phrase indicates that the person you’re angry with isn’t paying attention to what you’re saying, especially in the middle of an argument.
Example:
You and your spouse get into an argument about something, and you keep trying to explain something to them, but they interrupt you every time you start talking. You could say “You aren’t listening to me,” to call them out on it or to just end the discussion.
6- It’s all your fault.
Meaning:
This is the most classic of angry blame phrases in English. It literally means that whatever negative thing happened is entirely the other person’s fault.
Example:
Your friend kept you awake all night so you couldn’t study, and then you failed the test the next day. The next time you see them, you could say “I failed the test. And it’s all your fault.”
7- You messed everything up.
Meaning:
This is similar to “It’s all your fault.” Oftentimes, this is used when someone blames another person for something bad that happened (especially if things were planned to go a certain way but didn’t).
Example:
You’ve been working on a huge project for weeks, and a family member accidentally deletes all the files from your laptop the day before it’s due. You tell them “You messed everything up!”
8- You’re impossible.
Meaning:
When you tell someone “You’re impossible,” it means that you’re frustrated with them about their attitude, an action they did, or something they said. Essentially, it’s “impossible” to deal with them or be around them without becoming angry or frustrated.
Example:
You’re having an argument about something with a family member, and they keep interrupting you when you try to talk. Finally, out of frustration, you yell “You’re impossible!” and walk away from the conversation.
Additional Notes:
Oftentimes, close friends and family members will say this to each other jokingly out of mild frustration. This angry blame has the exact same meaning but is said in a more light-hearted manner.
9- It’s none of your business.
Meaning:
Use this phrase when someone tries to interfere with your life in a way that’s not welcome. This phrase basically means that whatever is going on in your life, or how you live it, isn’t for them to interfere with.
Example:
You’re mother sets you up on a date with someone without telling you. When you ask her why she would do it, she says “I thought you needed a boyfriend/girlfriend.” You then roll your eyes and say “It’s none of your business!”
10- I can’t believe you.
Meaning:
This phrase is similar to “You’re impossible.” It basically means that you’re angry or in shock about something someone did or said. It seems impossible to you that they could have done or said it.
Example:
Your sibling spilled orange juice all over your homework assignment. Your turn to them and say “I can’t believe you! You ruined my homework!”
11- How could you do this?
Meaning:
Use this phrase when someone does something that really hurts you, especially when you feel betrayed by them. It’s basically asking them how they could be so inconsiderate, or even wicked, to have done that thing (especially behind your back).
Example:
Someone finds out their spouse or significant other has been unfaithful to them. They ask them “How could you do this?”
12- You’re blaming me?
Meaning:
People often use this phrase when someone tries to put the blame on them for something that’s (arguably) the other person’s fault. It’s sort of a rhetorical question about who the blame should really be on.
Example:
You wait outside your friend’s house at an agreed upon time to take them to the airport, and they take a very long time getting ready. On the way there, you get stuck in heavy traffic and they miss their flight.
Your friend says, “I can’t believe you made me miss my flight!” You reply “You’re blaming me? You should have been ready sooner.”
4. Describing How You Feel
Once the yelling, fighting, and blaming has come to an end, it’s important to try and express how you really feel (and why). This may not be the best time for a conversation, but using one of the phrases below can help you open the door for one later.
1- I’m ready to talk.
Meaning:
Oftentimes, this phrase is used after taking some time alone following an argument. It indicates that you’re angry about something, and that you’re finally ready and comfortable to talk about it rationally with that person.
Example:
You and your spouse had a fight, and you left the house for a while to cool down. When you come back home, you find them and say “I’m ready to talk.”
2- I’m very upset.
Meaning:
Use this phrase to let the other party know that you’re feeling upset or angry. Oftentimes, just stating this fact is enough to open up the conversation.
Example:
You find out that your child has been lying to you. While talking with them about it, you say “I’m very upset.”
Additional Notes:
This phrase is often used as the beginning of a longer sentence: “I’m very upset about ___,” or “I’m very upset that ___.”
So, in the example situation, you could also say “I’m very upset that you lied to me.” This makes the source of your anger or frustration clearer to the person you’re talking with.
3- I’m fed up with it.
Meaning:
This phrase may sound a little strange, but it essentially means that you’ve had enough of something and you can’t take any more (like when you’re full and don’t want to be fed anymore food). Use this phrase when you’re tired of someone’s attitude or behavior, or even during a situation.
Example:
A family member has been getting on your nerves all day, and you finally tell them “I’m fed up with it!”
4- I hate it/you.
Meaning:
This is one of the strongest phrases on this list, because hate is such a potent emotion. When you say this, it means that you hate the situation (it) or the person you’re talking to (you).
Example:
A child is arguing with her mother, and the fight becomes heated. Finally, the child says “I hate you!” and runs out of the room.
Additional Notes:
In the United States, people use the phrase “I hate you” as a joke all the time, especially when someone has caused them a minor inconvenience that they can both laugh about. You can usually tell whether it’s a joke or not based on the context, but I don’t recommend joking about this very often (just to be safe).
5- I’ve never been so disappointed.
Meaning:
Say this phrase when you want someone to know that they’ve really upset you this time. When you say this phrase, it means that this person has disappointed you more than you’ve ever been disappointed before.
Example:
A close friend recently did something to hurt you. While venting about it to someone else, you say “I’ve never been so disappointed.”
6- You make me so angry.
Meaning:
This is a very clear, to-the-point angry phrase. You’re simply letting the other person know that they make you angry. This is a great phrase to use if you don’t want to worry too much about elaborating and just want to get to the point.
Example:
Your significant other does something that irritates you again. You tell them “You make me so angry!”
7- I can’t handle this anymore/right now.
Meaning:
Use this phrase to let someone know that you’re done and overwhelmed with them (or the situation).
Example:
You’ve been having a rough day, and at the end of the day you get home to some family drama. You tell everyone “I can’t handle this right now,” and go to your room.
8- I wish ___.
Meaning:
Use this phrase to communicate with someone what you want from them or how you wish things were.
Example:
A few common ways to finish this sentence include:
- “I wish you would listen to me!”
- “I wish you would stop doing that!”
- “I wish you would leave me alone.”
- “I wish you weren’t so ___ [negative adjective].”
- “I wish none of this had happened.”
5. Bonus: How to Calm Yourself Down When You’re Angry
Letting out your anger every once in a while is vital to maintaining healthy relationships. But so is learning how to cool down and get in control of how you’re feeling (and how you respond to your emotions). While this is a life-long task, and something that requires constant thought and practice, there are a few things you can do to put yourself in a better frame of mind after getting angry:
- Take a few deep breaths: Don’t roll your eyes at me. Taking some deep breaths can be a way to slow down your heartbeat and your thoughts; doing this can help you see things more clearly and rationally.
- Exercise: Whether you exercise on a regular basis or not, doing some kind of physical activity may help you feel better. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals that put you in a better mood (even if you don’t enjoy exercising itself). I personally find taking a long walk very helpful, but running, lifting weights, or even cooking a meal, can help.
- Listen to music: Listening to music is a common way of understanding and releasing one’s emotions in a healthy way. Whether you prefer listening to angry music to fully experience your negative emotions, or you prefer listening to something calm to help you cool down faster, this can be an effective way to get yourself back on track.
- Write something: For some people, writing is an excellent form of release. You can write a page or two in your journal about why you’re angry, work on a story or writing assignment, or even write an angry letter to someone (that you won’t give them). Putting your thoughts into words on the page or screen can help you process your feelings more easily. Wondering how to express your anger in writing? Check out this fascinating, honest article on the topic.
- Take a nap: We all know how grouchy we can get when we’re tired or sleepy. If possible, lie down in your room and take a nap. Oftentimes, just a few minutes of sleep can help us think more clearly and rationally. If you’re too angry to sleep, just lie down and try to relax.
- Walk in the other person’s shoes: When you “walk in someone else’s shoes,” you try to look at things from their perspective. You need to ask yourself what the other party may be thinking and feeling, and why they think or feel that way. Then, you examine yourself and your behavior in light of what you discovered about the other party. Did they think you were being irrational? Why? This is a fantastic way to gain insight, and can help you dissolve issues more effectively in the long run (even if it’s difficult sometimes to consider the other person’s thoughts and feelings).
- Think to yourself some calming mantras: A “mantra” is sort of like a motto or phrase and is usually said or thought of in order to create a calmer or more inspired mindset. For example, you can think to yourself something simple like “Calm down” or “Everything will be okay.”
- Distance yourself: Sometimes spending some time alone, or just getting away from the person or situation that’s making you angry, is the best thing you can do. Whether you go to your room and close the door, go for a walk or run, or spend some time at the mall or a cafe, having that distance can help you cool down and think more clearly.
Once you’ve had some time to cool down, it’s time to reconcile. If you’ve left a conversation, argument, or situation unfinished, it’s usually best to go back and finish it. Hopefully, the other party (or parties) has also taken some time to calm down so you can both have a much more rational discussion if one is required.
6. How EnglishClass101 Can Help You Express Yourself in English
By now, you should have plenty of angry phrases to get you through your toughest days. While it’s usually best to hold your tongue in times of great anger, letting it out is healthy and important from time to time. And sometimes the other person’s just asking for it…
Self-expression is a vital aspect of being human, and being able to do so effectively is essential for maintaining healthy relationships, both with others and with yourself. If you want to continue learning how to express yourself in English, EnglishClass101.com has various learning tools and vocabulary lists dedicated to this (including an anger vocabulary list in English). Knowing how to describe your anger in English is just one aspect of the bigger picture:
- 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself
- Top 20 Words for Positive Emotions
- Phrases to Express Your Fears
- Top 20 Words You’ll Need for the Internet
- Common Ways to Say Sorry
Know that your determination to learn English, and all the time and effort you’re putting into it, will pay off. Not every aspect of this language-learning journey is easy, but EnglishClass101.com hopes to make every lesson as fun and effective as possible!
Keep up the diligent work and know that one day, you’ll be speaking, writing, and reading English like a native! You can do this. 🙂
Before you go, let us know in the comments what your favorite angry sentence in English is! What are the most common angry phrases in your native language, and what do they mean? We look forward to hearing from you!
