1843–4. Haliburton, The Attaché. You never see such a crotchical old critter as he is. He flies right off the handle for nothing. 1867. Home Journal (New York), 21 July (speaking of a man who had succeeded to a large fortune it says) he went off the handle in England rather unexpectedly. 1871. De Vere, Americanisms, p. 195. If a fair lady loses her temper, or worst of all, if she breaks the tender promise, she is said to fly off the handle, and the disappointment is as serious to the unlucky lover as a lost axe to many a settler. 1888. Pittsburg Chronicle. ‘I can’t say that I’am stuck on Sue Fitzpercy,’ remarked Amy. ‘She is liable to fly off the handle.’ To fly out, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To get angry; to scold. 1612. Chapman, Widow’s Tears, Act II., p. 317 (Plays, 1874). For wherefore rage wives at their husbands so when they fly out? for zeal against the sin? 1665–6. Pepys, Diary, 17 Jan. It is to be feared that the Parliament will fly out against him and particular men, the next Session. 1712. Spectator, No. 479. He (Socrates) has said, My dear friend, you are beholden to Xantippe, that I bear so well your flying out in a dispute. 1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, ch. xx. ‘And then the Colonel flies out about his boy, and says that my wife insulted him!’ To make the fur (or feathers) fly, verb. phr. (common).—To attack effectively; to make a disturbance; to quarrel noisily like two tom cats on the tiles, who are said (in American) to pull fur, or to pull wool. 1847. Porter, Big Bear, etc., p. 132. Thar, they’ve got him agin, and now the fur flies. 1888. Denver Republican, 29 Feb. ‘Wait until the National Committee assembles on February 22,’ said the organizer, ‘and you will see the fur fly from the Cleveland hide.’ To take on the fly, verb. phr. (vagrants’).—To beg in the streets; a specific usage of adverbial sense. 1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. and Lond. Poor, II., p. 59. The ‘first move’ in his mendicant career was taking them on the fly, which means meeting the gentry on their walks, and beseeching or at times menacing them till something is given. To fly a kite, verb. phr. (common).—To raise money by means of accommodation bills; to raise the wind (q.v.).