Crossword Genius

Leave by plane with the worker before the French become angry (3,3,3,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fly off the handle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'become angry' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'leave by plane with the worker before the french' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'leave' could be 'fly' (flying is a kind of leaving) and 'fly' is found within the answer.
'by' could be 'of' and 'of' is found in the answer.
'with' could be 'and' and 'and' is present in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
'french' could be 'f' (abbreviation) and 'f' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fly off the handle that I've seen before include "react angrily" , "See red" , "Lose one's temper" , "Robin perching on spade may" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app