luːz jɔːr ˈtɛmpər
Emotions
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- To misplace your temper
What does "lose your temper" mean?
- To become suddenly angry
- To fail to control one's anger
Examples
- He rarely loses his temper, but today was an exception.
- Don't lose your temper over something so trivial.
- She lost her temper when she heard the news.
Origin
'Temper' in the sense of emotional balance or self-control. 'Losing' it means failing to maintain that balance.
How to use it
Very common expression for becoming angry. Implies loss of control.
Similar expressions
get angry
blow up
lose one's cool
fly off the handle
Opposites
keep calm
maintain composure
stay cool
Related idioms
- hang in there
To persevere during difficult times
- get cold feet
To become nervous or afraid before doing something important
- on top of the world
Feeling extremely happy and successful
- rain on someone's parade
To spoil someone's plans or enthusiasm
- blow off steam
To release pent-up energy or emotion through activity
- pull yourself together
To regain composure and self-control
Use it in a practice answer
Try "lose your temper" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.