hulk out

From Hulk, a fictional character, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for the Marvel Comics Universe, who gains superhuman strength when he becomes angry.

• IPA^(key): /hʌlk aʊt/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

hulk out (third-person singular simple present hulks out, present participle hulking out, simple past and past participle hulked out)

1. (slang) To become enraged in an imposing or intimidating manner.
   • 1991, Stephen King, Needful Things

     "Now," Mr. Gaunt said. "Let me give you a few directions, Ace. And remember what I said: I want you back by midnight. If you're not back by midnight, I will be unhappy. When I'm unhappy, I sometimes lose my temper. You wouldn't want to be around when that happens."
     "Do you Hulk out?" Ace asked jestingly.

   • 2012 June 19, “Alec Baldwin PUNCHES Paparazzo After Getting Marriage License!”, in PerezHilton‎:

     Alec Baldwin completely Hulked-out on a paparazzo this morning, after picking up a marriage license with his beautiful fiancé, Hilaria Thomas.

   • 2015 October 26, Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna, I Hope Josh Comes to My Party! (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), season 1, episode 3, The CW, spoken by Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III):

     Valencia—when she gets mad—she, like, hulks out.

   • 2016 October 24, United Nations (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), season 1, episode 27:

     Our media is so punch-drunk from the 16-month Hindenburg explosion of Trump’s candidacy, they no longer notice how awful he is unless he hulks out on stage or grabs the foundational principles of our republic by the pussy.

2. To gain significant muscle mass from exercise.
   • 2012 January 10, Naterman, Joshua, “Need Advice on Building Rounder Chest without Weights?”, in GymnasticBodies Forums‎:

     One of my best friends has hulked out his chest, triceps and shoulders exclusively with weighted push ups at my recommendation.

   • 2016 December 9, Schultz, Rachael, “How to eat to bulk up”, in Men's Fitness‎:

     You want to be in a permanent state of Hulking out, but chances are, if you’re reading this article, building bulk doesn’t come naturally.

   • 2017 January 9, Hurford, Molly, “Cross-Training Workouts Every Runner Should Try”, in MapMyRun‎:

     A review of studies done on runners and strength training showed generally positive impacts and no negative consequences. You won’t hulk out or bulk up just fine-tune some lean muscle in ways that running alone can’t do.

• (become enraged): See Thesaurus:lose one's temper
• (increase muscle mass): bulk up