English

Verb

do a slow burn

1. (idiomatic) To experience a gradually increasing feeling of anger or frustration; to slowly burn.
   • 1956, "Scoreboard," Time, 20 Aug.:

     Booed for muffing an easy fly ball in a game with the Yankees, Outfielder Williams did a slow burn. By the time he made a game-saving catch, even the cheers sounded like jeers to Terrible-Tempered Ted.

   • 2007, Roger Mummert, "At a Family Gathering, an Internet Cafe Breaks Out," New York Times, 24 Aug. (retrieved 20 Jan 2015):

     “Not working ...” I said, growing testy. . . . I did a slow burn. I was way beyond my computer comfort level, and that was apparent to all.

Synonyms

• seethe

Antonyms

• calm down, chill out, cool off

Related terms

• slow burn