ballistic

[buh-lis-tik] /bəˈlɪs tɪk/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to ballistics.
2.
having its motion determined or describable by the laws of exterior ballistics.
Idioms
3.
go ballistic, Informal. to become overwrought or irrational:
went ballistic over the idea of a tax hike.
Origin
1765-75; ballist(a) + -ic
Related forms
ballistically, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for go ballistic

ballistic

/bəˈlɪstɪk/
adjective
1.
of or relating to ballistics
2.
denoting or relating to the flight of projectiles after power has been cut off, moving under their own momentum and the external forces of gravity and air resistance
3.
(of a measurement or measuring instrument) depending on a brief impulse or current that causes a movement related to the quantity to be measured: a ballistic pendulum
4.
(informal) go ballistic, to become enraged or frenziedly violent
5.
(of materials) strong enough to resist damage by projectile weapons: ballistic nylon
Derived Forms
ballistically, adverb
Word Origin and History for go ballistic

ballistic

adj.

1775, "pertaining to thrown objects," ultimately from Greek ballein "to throw" (see ballistics). Of rockets or missiles (ones that are guided while under propulsion, but fall freely), from 1949. Ballistic missile first attested 1954; they attain extreme heights, hence figurative expression go ballistic (1981) "become irrationally angry."

Slang definitions & phrases for go ballistic

go ballistic

verb phrase

To become very angry and irrational; blow up, hit the ceiling: Either way, some constituents will go allisti/ Henry George would go allisti over the idea of reopening the capital gains tax break for real estate

[mid-1980s+; fr the extreme height attained by a ballistic missile, and the idea that upward motion is associated with anger]


Idioms and Phrases with go ballistic

go ballistic

Become extremely upset or angry, as in Dad will go ballistic when he sees you dented the new car. This expression, a variation on go berserk, originally alluded to a guided missile going out of control. [ ; mid-1980s ]

ballistic

see: go ballistic