Fly, me pretties, fly!

Joan Crawford in Strait Jacket from 1964

The solution to today's Jumble (which only appears in the dead-tree edition of newspapers) is:

FLEW OFF THE HANDLE

It's a very common phrase, but where did it come from? Google provides an answer:

This is an American phrase and it alludes to the uncontrolled way a loose axe-head flies off from its handle.

Seems like I should have known that, and maybe I did, once upon a time.