Not every guy is going to explode when he’s angry. Instead, some hide their frustration behind carefully chosen phrases. If you’re noticing tension but he’s not coming out and saying it, he might be using these go-to lines to keep his cool. Here are 16 things men say when they’re mad but not willing to fully show it yet.
1. “I’m fine.”
ShutterstockThis classic phrase is a dead giveaway. When he says “I’m fine,” he’s probably far from it. It’s his way of brushing off the conversation before he’s forced to confront his feelings. If he’s pulling out the “I’m fine” card, chances are, he’s hiding a lot more than he’s letting on.
2. “Do whatever you want.”
ShutterstockContrary to how it sounds, this isn’t permission, it’s more of a verbal sigh. He’s given up on trying to sway things and because he probably feels overruled or ignored. When he says this, he’s pulling back from making the decision, even though he’s not exactly happy about it.
3. “Forget it, it’s not important.”
This is code for “It’s extremely important, but I don’t think I’ll get anywhere.” He’s likely frustrated that he doesn’t feel heard, so he’s simply throwing in the towel. This phrase might be how he can shut down the conversation because he’s sick of arguing, but it doesn’t mean he’s moved on.
4. “Whatever.”
ShutterstockIf he’s tossing out a “whatever,” it’s a sure sign he’s over it. This one-word response isn’t indifferent; it’s loaded. Whether the fight is getting explosive or just going around in circles, he’s letting go of the discussion, but only because he’s fed up, not because he’s suddenly okay with everything.
5. “If you say so.”
When he says “If you say so,” it’s his low-key way of surrendering. It’s not agreement; it’s more of a polite way to disagree without fighting about it. He’s frustrated but knows it’s not worth the argument—so he’s letting you win, for now.
6. “That’s not what I meant.”
He might say this when he feels misunderstood or like his point got twisted around. It’s his way of trying to salvage what he actually meant. If you look beneath this line, you’ll find that he’s probably frustrated that his words didn’t come across clearly but he doesn’t want to argue over it.
7. “Let’s just move on.”
This is his way of waving the white flag. If he’s saying “let’s just move on,” he really does mean it. It’s because he’s exhausted from trying to explain himself and he might feel defeated. Saying this phrase is him choosing not to let it escalate—though he’s definitely not thrilled.
8. “Can we drop it?”
When he asks to drop something, it’s because he’s maxed out. This phrase is more about keeping his cool than actually letting it go. He’s probably over the conversation and sick of arguing, but it doesn’t mean the frustration has magically vanished. He’s just containing it, for now.
9. “I’m over it.”
If he’s saying “I’m over it,” then listen to him. He’s probably trying to convince himself as much as he’s trying to convince you. He may be saying this so you both don’t go back into whatever the issue at hand is, but best believe that just because he says he’s over it doesn’t mean it’s not still simmering beneath the surface.
10. “Sure, whatever makes you happy.”
ShutterstockAt first glance, this sounds supportive, but there’s usually a hint of resignation behind it. He’s giving up control here and he’s simply letting you take the lead, but he’s likely not thrilled about the outcome. Don’t consider this as a win, it’s his way of keeping the peace, even if he’s quietly annoyed.
11. “You do you.”
“You do you” isn’t a green light, it’s more like a retreat. If he says this, he’s pulling back from the situation and mentally stepping away because he’s exhausted. It’s less about giving you freedom and more about him checking out of the whole thing.
12. “Are you happy now?”
This isn’t a real question, it’s sarcasm in disguise. He’s saying, “I went along with it, but I’m not actually okay with how things turned out.” When he says this during an argument, it’s coming from a place of frustration but he’s too afraid to fully speak his mind, so he sticks with passive digs.
13. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
If he’s saying “doesn’t matter to me,” it’s usually because he feels like his opinion isn’t being heard by you. He’s basically saying, “I give up.” This phrase is what he says when he’s desperately trying to avoid a major fight. But don’t be fooled, it doesn’t mean he’s okay with how things are going.
14. “It is what it is.”
This is his way of resigning to whatever’s happening, even if he’s annoyed by it. If he’s saying this, he’s likely frustrated but doesn’t want to keep talking about it. It’s his way of ending the discussion without fully resolving it.
15. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
If he’s not ready to talk, it’s likely because he’s afraid of what he’ll say. He’s giving himself a break to cool off but not because he’s letting it go. When he says this, it’s important you respect it and let him have his space. But you can expect this to come back up once he’s ready to talk it through.
