go nuclear

To suddenly become extremely angry and show it.

• My boss went nuclear.
• She went nuclear when she saw the bill.
• Please do not go nuclear over one small mistake.

How to use it: go nuclear over something (Dad went nuclear over the broken window.)

Similar words: explode, lose your temper, fly into a rage

Opposites: calm down

Common phrases: go nuclear, go nuclear over something

If a war does this, the fighting starts to involve nuclear weapons.

• The war could go nuclear.
• Both sides feared the conflict would go nuclear.
• Would either army dare to go nuclear?

Similar words: use nuclear weapons

Common phrases: go nuclear, go nuclear first

For a country to obtain or develop nuclear weapons.

• The country may go nuclear.
• Its neighbors feared it would go nuclear within a decade.
• The government denied plans to go nuclear.

Similar words: acquire nuclear weapons

Common phrases: go nuclear, decide to go nuclear

To begin using nuclear energy or other nuclear technology.

• The country plans to go nuclear.
• Several energy companies went nuclear during that decade.
• Should our electricity industry go nuclear?

Similar words: adopt nuclear technology

Common phrases: go nuclear, go nuclear nationally

To become extremely excited or enthusiastic.

• The fans went nuclear.
• The crowd went nuclear when the singer appeared.
• Expect the audience to go nuclear during the final song.

Similar words: go wild

Common phrases: go nuclear, go nuclear with excitement