warpath

[ wawr-path, -pahth ]
/ ˈwɔrˌpæθ, -ˌpɑθ /

noun, plural war·paths [wawr-path z, -pahth z, -paths, -pahths] /ˈwɔrˌpæðz, -ˌpɑðz, -ˌpæθs, -ˌpɑθs/.

the path or course taken by American Indians on a warlike expedition.

Idioms for warpath

    on the warpath,
    1. seeking, preparing for, or engaged in war or aggressive pursuit.
    2. in a state of anger or indignation; hostile.

Origin of warpath

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55; war1 + path

British Dictionary definitions for on the warpath

warpath
/ (ˈwɔːˌpɑːθ) /

noun

the route taken by North American Indians on a warlike expedition
on the warpath
  1. preparing to engage in battle
  2. informal in a state of anger

Cultural definitions for on the warpath

on the warpath

From a Native American expression for war, to be “on the warpath” is to be exceedingly angry and to be inclined to take some hostile action: “Watch out! John is on the warpath today.”

Idioms and Phrases with on the warpath (1 of 2)

on the warpath

Furious and on a hostile course of action, as in When the meat wasn't delivered, the chef went on the warpath. This expression was an English translation of a Native American term that literally means “a path used by a war party.” Go on the war path thus meant “go to battle.” It was used in this way by James Fenimore Cooper in The Deerslayer (1841); its present hyperbolic use dates from the late 1800s.

Idioms and Phrases with on the warpath (2 of 2)

warpath

see on the warpath.