A course of action showing hostility or anger; originally referring to the route taken by Native American warriors going to battle. Now used figuratively to describe someone who is very angry and ready for confrontation.
From Native American concept, first recorded in English in the 1770s, literally describing the path warriors would take when going to war. The figurative use meaning 'in an angry, combative mood' developed by the mid-19th century.
The phrase 'on the warpath' reflects a time when European colonists were genuinely concerned about Native American raids, but it's now mostly used humorously to describe someone's bad mood. Interestingly, many tribes actually had specific ceremonial paths designated for warriors departing for battle.
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