went off the deep end

phrase

past tense of go off the deep end
as in cracked
to yield to mental or emotional stress After months of pressure at work, he went off the deep end.

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for went off the deep end
Phrase
  • In the 2011 season following that previous postseason victory, the Bears started strong but fell apart after an injury to the quarterback.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Olsen certainly hurt those around him, too, growing up, especially as his addiction spiraled and his platonic, romantic and familial relationships fell apart.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Phrase
  • One question that scientists have puzzled over for years is whether Venus always lacked a moon, or if the hottest planet in the solar system once had a natural satellite and somehow lost it.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Valadao won a congressional seat in 2012, lost it in 2018, then won it back in 2020.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Went off the deep end.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/went%20off%20the%20deep%20end. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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