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lose one's temper
/luːz wʌnz ˈtɛmpər/◆idiom
become very angry
She lost her temper when the car broke down again.
She became very angry when the car broke down again.
informal
To become suddenly and uncontrollably angry, often showing visible signs of frustration or rage.
The manager lost his temper during the meeting and started yelling at the team.
The manager became very angry during the meeting and started yelling at the team.
Children often lose their temper when they don't get what they want.
Children often become very angry when they don't get what they want.
This phrase is commonly used to describe emotional outbursts, often in social or professional settings.
Collocations
lose one's temper overto become angry about something specificlose one's temper withto become angry at someone
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Context
This phrase is often used to describe someone's reaction to a frustrating situation, and it can be used to express disapproval or concern about someone's behavior.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While this phrase is useful for describing anger, overusing it can make your speech sound repetitive. Try to vary your vocabulary when describing emotions.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from the idea of losing control over one's emotions, as if one's temper (anger) is a separate entity that can be lost or controlled.
Usage Notes
This phrase is often used to describe sudden, intense anger, and it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in informal speech.
Word Breakdown
lose
to misplace or no longer have control over
verbone's temper
one's anger or emotional state
noun phraseEnglish Dictionary