逆ギレする

• Reading: ぎゃくぎれする
• Romaji: gyakugire suru
• Kanji breakdown: 逆 (gyaku) — reverse, opposite; ギレ from キレる (kireru) — to snap, lose temper
• Pronunciation: /gja.kɯ.gi.ɾe.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To get angry at someone despite being in the wrong oneself; to turn the tables with misplaced anger.

A colloquial suru-verb describing the behaviour of someone who, when confronted about their own mistake or wrongdoing, responds by getting angry at the person pointing it out. Combines 逆 (reverse) with キレる (to snap/lose one's temper). Very common in casual conversation.

Examples

1. 自分が悪いのに逆ギレするなんて信じられない。 I can't believe he snapped at someone else when he was the one at fault.
2. 遅刻を注意したら逆ギレされた。 When I pointed out that he was late, he turned around and got mad at me.
3. 彼はミスを指摘されるといつも逆ギレする。 Whenever his mistakes are pointed out, he always flips it and gets angry.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, arguments, relationships

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Compound of 逆 (reverse, opposite) + キレる (to snap, lose temper, from 切れる). A modern colloquial coinage describing the paradoxical anger of the person at fault.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Younger generations

Social background: Universal