Canada· hard· informal

être en beau fusil

to be in a nice rifle

Meaning

To be absolutely furious

Explanation

In Quebec French, someone worked up like a loaded rifle is one step from going off, which is exactly the state this phrase describes.

Example

Quand il a vu la facture, il était en beau fusil.

When he saw the bill, he was absolutely furious.

Origin

Origin uncertain. Quebec French reaches for the loaded-rifle image to picture blind fury, but no clear record explains why that particular weapon became the go-to comparison.

Where

Quebec

More like this