go crazy

go crazy — idiom

1. to become mentally ill or lose the ability to think and behave normally

1.idiomB1
Definition

to become mentally ill or lose the ability to think and behave normally

Example

After the accident, Trang's grandfather went crazy and could no longer recognise his family.

go crazy + from trauma / cause

The character in the play slowly goes crazy as she loses everything she loves.

Common collocations
  • go crazy from stress
  • go crazy with loneliness
  • slowly go crazy
  • completely go crazy
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • stay sane

    opposite — to remain mentally healthy

Grammar Patterns

go crazy + (from/with + cause)

Common Mistakes

After the accident, he went crazy and started crying.
After the accident, he went crazy and could no longer recognise his family.
'go crazy' for mental illness implies a lasting breakdown, not temporary sadness.

2. to behave in a very excited, angry, or uncontrolled way because you are feeling

2.idiomA2
Definition

to behave in a very excited, angry, or uncontrolled way because you are feeling strong emotions

Example

When their team won the final, the fans went crazy and ran onto the field.

go crazy + with excitement (celebratory)

Rafael went crazy when he saw that someone had scratched his new car.

Common collocations
  • go crazy with excitement
  • go crazy with anger
  • fans go crazy
  • crowd goes crazy
  • go crazy over something
Synonyms
  • go wild

    similar meaning, slightly less intense

  • lose control

    broader — can describe any loss of self-control

  • freak out

    more informal, often suggests panic or overreaction

Antonyms
  • stay calm

    remain composed when something exciting or frustrating happens

Grammar Patterns

go crazy + (with + emotion)

Usage Note

Common in informal speech. Use with 'with + emotion' (excitement, anger, joy, frustration) to specify the cause. Not used in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

I went crazy when I saw the movie.
I went crazy with excitement when I saw my favourite singer.
the strong emotion should be stated or clear from context.

3. if prices, numbers, or other measurable things go crazy, they increase or change

3.idiomB2
Definition

if prices, numbers, or other measurable things go crazy, they increase or change very quickly and become difficult to manage

Example

Housing prices in the city have gone crazy over the past few years.

prices / numbers go crazy

Meera's tomato plants went crazy after the rain and took over the whole garden.

Common collocations
  • prices go crazy
  • numbers go crazy
  • plants go crazy
  • inflation goes crazy
  • cost goes crazy
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • stabilise

    to stop changing wildly and become steady

Grammar Patterns

go crazy (subject = prices / numbers / plants)

Usage Note

Subject is usually a thing (prices, numbers, plants, problems) — not a person. The meaning is that something grows or changes far beyond normal limits.

Common Mistakes

My boss went crazy and gave me more work.' — This could be confused with sense 2 (angry behaviour).
The workload went crazy and I could not finish it all.
use for things, not people.

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/2

These four phrases all describe uncontrolled behaviour, but differ in intensity and context. 'Go crazy' is the most general, covering both joyful excitement (fans going crazy at a concert) and angry outbursts (going crazy at bad news). 'Go wild' is usually positive or neutral — it suggests energetic celebration rather than distress. 'Freak out' is strictly informal and leans toward panic, fear, or extreme surprise. 'Lose control' is more formal and clinical, suitable for describing someone's emotional state in a serious situation. For daily conversation, 'go crazy' and 'go wild' are the safest choices. For example: fans went crazy when the band started playing; children went wild when they saw the ice cream; do not freak out — it is just a small spider.

go crazy ↗go wildfreak outlose control

Etymology

First known use

1743

1743, in the meaning defined at sense 2