British english to American english translation request

[pdcorlis]

In this case I think it means going insane.

[Jock Scot]

In this case I think it means going insane.

Nearly!More like insanely angry.For example, if some one drove into your new car----imagine how you would react!That's right, you would go spare! Before anyone asks, no I don't know where the expression came from.

[Pleater]

If - for instance, a boy was to find himself with a few minutes to wait before the family sets off to meet some relative the parents want to impress, the boy is dressed in his best clothes, and has been scrubbed and polished to within an inch of his life, so the boy wanders out into the back garden and in a few minutes has managed to fall over whilst carrying a bucket full of mud to the total detremement of his apperance, and reappears inside the house covered in dirt, blood and with his clothes torn - then his mother would go spare.

It is usually a combination of rage and frustration.

Anne the Pleater

[Jock Scot]

My dear Pleater,how very apt your story is and it illustrates the point exactly! Oh,and I know that scenario,well.

[Casey_in_Carolina]

Thanks so much!! That fits exactly within the context of what I'm reading, and now it makes so much more sense.

The example you give helps bring it to mind perfectly. Almost as if I was watching a short movie.


Once again, thanks so much!!!


Casey