temper tantrum
Americannoun
Usage
What does temper tantrum mean? A temper tantrum is an angry outburst by someone who has lost their temper in reaction to something they didn’t want to happen. The word tantrum by itself means the same thing. Temper tantrums are often loud and they can be violent. A child kicking and screaming in response to being told to turn off the TV is having a temper tantrum. The phrase is typically used to refer to an outburst by a young child, especially a toddler. But it can also be used to refer to an outburst by an adult. When used this way, it’s intended to criticize the person for being unreasonable and acting like a child. Temper tantrum is often used with the verb throw, as in My son threw a temper tantrum right in the middle of the store. Example: I work in customer service, so I’m used to dealing with temper tantrums from people who don’t get their way.
Etymology
Origin of temper tantrum
First recorded in 1925–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The joint amicus brief called the department labelling Anthropic a risk "a potentially ruinous sanction" for businesses and little more than a "temper tantrum".
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
He has called on Salvador Dalí’s melting clocks to underscore a tennis player’s temper tantrum, likened a baseball player to a piece of taxidermy and linked athletes with sculptures by Rodin.
From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2024
Every time she is caught and punished, she throws a little temper tantrum about how it isn’t “fair” that I get to wear what I want and she can’t.
From Slate • Oct. 5, 2023
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-New York, said “just throwing a temper tantrum and stomping your feet - frankly, not only is it wrong - it’s just pathetic.”
From Washington Times • Sep. 30, 2023
When they told Lara she failed, she threw an epic temper tantrum so bad she may not be allowed to try out again next year if Agent Fiona has anything to say about it.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
