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huǒ 火 mào 冒 sān 三 zhàng 丈

火冒三丈 huǒ mào sān zhàng

to fly into a rage; furious

Literally: fire rise three zhang

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Origin

Descriptive; no single source story. A vivid modern colloquialism picturing anger as flames leaping three zhang (about ten metres) high.

How to use it

Predicate or complement; negative, vivid. Often 气得火冒三丈.

Example sentences

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  1. 看到儿子又没写作业，爸爸气得火冒三丈。
    Kàndào érzi yòu méi xiě zuòyè, bàba qì de huǒ mào sān zhàng.
    Seeing his son had skipped his homework again, Dad flew into a rage.
    see son again not write homework, dad angry (particle) fire rise three zhang
  2. 他一听这话就火冒三丈，摔门走了。
    Tā yī tīng zhè huà jiù huǒ mào sān zhàng, shuāi mén zǒu le.
    The moment he heard that he was furious, slammed the door and left.
    he once hear this word then fire rise three zhang, slam door leave (particle)

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