tantrum

fly into a tantrum

To become uncontrollably angry or upset, especially in a childish or immature manner. Samantha flew into a tantrum when she heard that her brother would be getting the family's old car. I know you're upset, but there's no point flying into a tantrum like that. It was just an honest mistake. Why is my toddler screaming and crying? My guess is because she's two, and it doesn't take much for her to fly into a tantrum.

See also: fly, tantrum

temper tantrum

An extreme and childish display of unreasonable anger, frustration, or distemper. I can't believe you threw a temper tantrum like that just because I didn't want to go see some movie with you! Becca's been having really bad temper tantrums lately. I guess she's just going into the "terrible twos."

See also: tantrum, temper

throw a (temper) tantrum

To have an outburst of childish or unreasonable anger, frustration, or ill temper. I was so embarrassed when Danny started throwing a tantrum in the grocery store. You're adults, not children, and throwing a temper tantrum every time something doesn't go your way is not the way to address things.

See also: tantrum, throw

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

throw a tantrum

to have a temper tantrum; to put on an active display of childish temper. I never dreamed that Bob would throw a tantrum right there in the department store. You must be so embarrassed!

See also: tantrum, throw

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

throw a ˈtantrum

(British English also throw a ˈwobbly) (informal) suddenly become very angry and behave in an unreasonable way: When you were a child, you were always throwing tantrums. ♢ My mum would throw a wobbly if she knew what we’d been doing.

See also: tantrum, throw

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017