spit nails

spit nails

To strongly express one's anger, typically verbally. Unless you want to get yelled at, stay away from the boss today—he's spitting nails over that printing mishap.
See also: nail, spit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • spit blood
  • spit blood/venom/feathers
  • breathe fire
  • be breathing fire
  • be spitting feathers
  • let (one) have it
  • let have it
  • let me have it
  • Let me have it!
  • let somebody have it
References in periodicals archive
It makes me spit nails every time I hear it; invoking so much anger I could crush a whole pound of grapes.
Time to ban degrading term 'bed blockers'
All of which must have caused loyal wife Jackie to spit nails at her wandering boy.
Philandering Marr needs to hang his head in shame
Oh, I'm still angry and bitter--you bet, I can spit nails! The difference is today I channel my attitude into humor.
The Funny Page: life lessons from Merv, Mike and Johnny
However, when he pulls off the towel to reveal his new colour - a shocking orange - Kylie's about ready to spit nails.
Tonight's TV
I WHAT makes me spit nails is Asian take-1 away boss Khalid Shah serving up Buckie Kormas in his Motherwell shop to exploit the eejits who think it's cool to have their I curry laced with Buckfast.
Making fast bucks from our kormas
The builder, who is already mad at the sheet rock guy for holding up this house, is beginning to spit nails over the missed deadline for the cabinets.
Managing Quality in Your Department
Once you've had a laugh at this Toy Town-like spat, don't you want to spit nails at the likes of his opponents who have taken a light-hearted and traditional phrase as an affront?
Falling foul of the PC brigade