beside oneself, almost out of one's senses from a strong emotion, as from joy, delight, anger, fear, or grief:
He was beside himself with rage when the train left without him.
Origin
before 1000;Middle English; earlier bi-siden,Old Englishbī sīdan, be sīdan; see be-, side
Can be confused
beside, besides (see usage note at the current entry)
Usage note
For the prepositional meanings “over and above, in addition to” and “except” besides is preferred, especially in edited writing: Besides these honors he received a sum of money. We heard no other sound besides the breaking surf. However, beside sometimes occurs with these meanings as well.
British Dictionary definitions for beside oneself
beside
/bɪˈsaɪd/
preposition
1.
next to; at, by, or to the side of
2.
as compared with
3.
away from; wide of: beside the point
4.
(archaic) besides
5.
beside oneself, (postpositive) often foll by with. overwhelmed; overwrought: beside oneself with grief
adverb
6.
at, by, to, or along the side of something or someone
Word Origin
Old English be sīdan; see by, side
Word Origin and History for beside oneself
beside
prep.
Old English be sidan "by the side of" (only as two words), from be- + sidan dative of side (n.). By 1200, formed as one word and used as both adverb and preposition. The alternative Middle English meaning "outside" led to the sense preserved in beside oneself "out of one's wits" (late 15c.).
Slang definitions & phrases for beside oneself
beside oneself
adjective phrase
Undergoing a surge or transport of emotion, esp of anger; half-crazy: She was beside herself when she found out he was cheating/ He was beside himself with despair(late 1400s+)
Idioms and Phrases with beside oneself
beside oneself
In a state of extreme agitation or excitement, as in She was beside herself when she found she'd lost her ring, or Peter was beside himself with joy—he'd won the poetry award. This phrase appears in the New Testament (Acts 26:24): “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning makes thee mad.” [ Late 1400s ]