fling (one's) bonnet over the windmill



fling (one's) bonnet over the windmill

To act in a deranged, reckless, or unconventional manner. Refers to the eponymous character of the novel Don Quixote, who tosses his hat over a windmill (which he imagines is a giant) as a challenge to it. Sarah is always trying to buck social conventions, flinging her bonnet over the windmill whenever possible. I know you like to take risks in business, but don't fling your bonnet over the windmill.
See also: bonnet, fling, windmill

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
MileMEE-le (Croatian, Serbian)Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian
Kreine-Yiddish
FranFRAN (English)Spanish, English, Croatian, Slovene
BrandenBRAN-dənEnglish
AlbinAHL-been (Polish) Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, French, English, Slovene
Hilary['hiləri]