This idiom describes losing one’s temper or becoming extremely angry, often explosively, as if pressure inside a person bursts like steam from a stack. It conveys intense emotional outburst, typically used in personal or workplace contexts to depict rage or frustration. The phrase carries a tone of volatility, warning, or exasperation, reflecting cultural values of emotional control and the human tendency to snap under stress. Its industrial imagery evokes a mechanical release, resonating in scenarios of heated arguments or pent-up irritation. The idiom highlights the tipping point of patience, making it a vivid metaphor for uncontrolled anger.

The phrase originated in early 20th-century America, tied to steam-powered machinery, where a ‘stack’ (chimney) could release pressure explosively if overheated. Its earliest recorded use appears in 1930s American slang, notably in *The Chicago Tribune* (1938), describing a worker ‘blowing his stack’ over a dispute. The idiom gained traction during the industrial era, amplified by labor tensions and popularized in 1940s radio dramas and noir films depicting volatile characters. Its spread across English-speaking cultures, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, stems from its dynamic imagery and applicability to emotional outbursts, from factory floors to domestic spats.