see red

USAGE SUMMARY

'see red' is not a complete sentence.
However, it is an expression that means to become very angry and is commonly used in spoken and written English. For example, "When he heard the news, he saw red and started to shout."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Robins literally see red.

The Guardian - Opinion

That makes Perry see red.

The Guardian

That makes Sheehan see red.

The Guardian

He wants to see red tape cut.

The Guardian

I see red hair, lipstick and lashes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Overhead you should see red kite, common buzzard and raven.

Independent

"We know that the Iranians see red," Mr. Oren said.

The New York Times

It just made me see red, made me really angry".

The New York Times

It was enough for him to see red.

The New York Times - Sports

Does it make you see red or glimpse heaven?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Thus, when the Eagles see blue, they see red.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "see red" when you want to vividly describe a sudden and intense feeling of anger. It's more impactful than simply saying someone "got angry".

Common error

Avoid using "see red" literally, as in perceiving the color red. The phrase is specifically used to describe a state of extreme anger, not actual visual perception.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "see red" is as an idiomatic verb phrase expressing a sudden and intense feeling of anger. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe a person's emotional state in response to a particular event or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "see red" is a vivid expression used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of anger. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's not a complete sentence on its own but functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts like wiki articles, but should be used with caution in very formal or academic writing. When using "see red", ensure that the context clearly indicates the idiomatic meaning, rather than a literal visual perception. Alternatives such as "become enraged" or "fly into a rage" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become enraged

Focuses on the resulting state of extreme anger.

fly into a rage

Highlights the sudden and uncontrolled outburst of anger.

lose one's temper

Emphasizes the loss of control over one's emotions.

be furious

Describes the state of being extremely angry.

get worked up

Indicates a state of increasing agitation and anger.

boil with anger

Conveys a sense of suppressed, intense anger.

get angry

A more general term for experiencing anger.

bristle with indignation

Highlights a reaction of offended anger.

be incensed

Suggests a feeling of righteous anger.

flip out

Informal term suggesting a sudden and extreme emotional reaction.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says they "see red"?

When someone says they "see red", it means they are experiencing a sudden and intense feeling of anger.

What are some alternative ways to say "I see red"?

You can use alternatives like "I become enraged", "I fly into a rage", or "I lose my temper" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "see red"?

While Ludwig AI identifies "see red" as not a complete sentence, it's grammatically acceptable as an idiomatic expression. It's typically used within a larger sentence structure.

When is it appropriate to use the expression "see red"?

The expression "see red" is appropriate in both informal and some formal contexts when you want to vividly describe a sudden and intense feeling of anger. However, avoid using it in very formal or academic writing.