恼羞成怒 nǎoxiū-chéngnù to become enraged over a perceived humiliation
(idiom) to become enraged over a perceived humiliation
How to remember 恼羞成怒: 恼 angry + 羞 shame + 成 to become + 怒 anger = to become enraged over a perceived humiliation.
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How it is used
- Idiom: to fly into a rage from shame/embarrassment when cornered - 被揭穿后他恼羞成怒 (bèi jiēchuān hòu tā nǎoxiū-chéngnù) exposed, he blew up in humiliated fury.
- The key nuance is that the anger springs from being shamed or caught out, not from a genuine grievance.
- Often used to describe someone in the wrong who lashes out rather than admit fault.