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.

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!

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

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References in periodicals archive

According to child psychologists, most children don't throw a tantrum to be naughty; they do it to express their anger or frustration when they don't achieve something that they want.

Parenting: Things to do to handle baby tantrums

"It's k out the 'I'm Adele, a fierce and energetic South African, makes it clear that there is one main rule of Tantrum Club - you have to throw a tantrum. "It's time to kick out the 'I'm fi ' lt " h i k Ad l "L t' fine' culture," shrieks Adele.

The new club set to be all the rage; TIRED OF STRESSING OVER LIFE'S DAILY CHALLENGES, SOPHIE TWEEDALE HEADED TO THE UK'S FIRST TANTRUM PARTY TO LET RIP

London, Sept 9 (ANI): A survey has revealed that kids with names like Rose or Corey are the most likely to throw a tantrum.

Toddlers named Rose or Corey most likely to throw tantrums

Trust former supermodel Naomi Campbell to throw a tantrum. But for a change, the leggy glamazon staged a walk-out for another human being.

Campbell cries foul

Between these covers, you'll learn how to throw a tantrum, play one side against the other, let the other guy think he has won, procrastinate, win through sympathy, be disarmingly honest, call in backup (ie., My dad can beat up your dad), pretend you don't hear what they are saying, and the penultimate classic, take your ball and go home.

How to Negotiate Like a Child

LETTING RIP When he landed at a Taiwan airport, Elton proved he can still throw a tantrum by launching into a tirade against a group of waiting photographers

News: Is ELTON JOHN going mad? Music legend Elton John was once famous for his diva-like tantrums. But after a quiet patch, it seems Sir Stroppy is back to his mad, bad old ways

If you try to quieten them with sweets you will start a pattern where they know that if they throw a tantrum they'll always get what they want.

Your Life: COLEEN NOLAN: My toddler is off his trolley; Each week I'll be answering your parenting problems

The way to break this circle of behaviour is to show him he doesn't have to throw a tantrum to get what he wants.

Your Problems: Angel's a real terror