volatile person
[/ˈvɒlətaɪl ˈpɜːrsən/]
noun phrasepl: volatile people
pessoa volátil / pessoa instável
1. A person whose mood, behavior, or emotions change rapidly and unpredictably; someone prone to sudden outbursts or emotional instability
He's a volatile person who can be cheerful one moment and angry the next.
Ele é uma pessoa volátil que pode estar alegre num momento e furioso no próximo.
2. Someone who is unpredictable and potentially dangerous in social or professional situations
The volatile person in the meeting made everyone uncomfortable with his aggressive comments.
A pessoa volátil na reunião deixou todos desconfortáveis com seus comentários agressivos.
3. A person with an explosive temperament; quick to lose control or become agitated
You need to be careful around that volatile person; his temper is legendary.
Você precisa ter cuidado perto daquela pessoa volátil; o temperamento dela é lendário.
In Brazil, describing someone as 'volátil' is fairly direct and can be considered somewhat negative in professional settings. Americans often use euphemisms like 'passionate' or 'spirited' in workplace contexts to soften the criticism. The term is more commonly used in psychological or clinical discussions in both cultures.
NYC Slang
hothead / loose cannon / time bomb
Related Idioms & Phrases
walking on eggshells around someone
a powder keg waiting to explode
a storm waiting to happen
unpredictable as the weather
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