1. Home
2. Idioms
3. be barking mad

be barking mad

---

---

be barking mad

To be crazy or insane. Although its origin is unknown, the phrase may refer to rabid dogs. It's freezing today, and you're not going to wear a coat? Are you barking mad? You're barking mad if you think that plan will work.

See also: bark, mad

be barking mad

  (British & Australian old-fashioned)

to be crazy You went swimming in the sea in the middle of winter? You must be barking mad!

See also: bark, mad