Show temper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Show temper" is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
Instead, you may use a phrase like "show anger" when referring to someone exhibiting a strong emotion. For example: "The student showed anger when he found out he had failed the exam."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A fine actor who looks a bit like Jack Nicholson, Mr. Volle reveals Sachs's personal flaws — his quickness to show temper, for instance — while leaving no doubt about his solid character.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"What if everyone had to carry a plastic bag by law?" The show tempered its creator's moralism with a tone of forgiveness.

The New Yorker

According to the experimental results, silver solid solution phase with zinc at both compositions show tempered yield strength, high tensile strength and large uniform strain compared to those of pure silver.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

But Ross showed temper, too.

The New York Times - Sports

The no-shows, temper tantrums, audience provocation and clear disdain for one another that contributed to Guns N' Roses' reputation as one of the last dangerous rock groups were absent Saturday night as the L.A. band's three original members plowed through a two-hour-plus set on Coachella's main stage.

Los Angeles Times

The no-shows, temper tantrums, audience provocation and clear disdain for one another that made Guns N' Roses one of the last dangerous rock bands were absent Saturday night in Indio as the L.A. band's three original members plowed through a two-hour-plus set on Coachella's main stage.

Los Angeles Times

He showed temper tantrums, mostly experienced as unpredictable.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

They had more frequently shown temper tantrums, breaking property, impulse control problems and anxiety than the inpatients and the outpatients, and as compared to inpatients, also attention problems were more common in the copycats.

BMC Psychiatry

They can start showing temper tantrums, yelling or screaming.

WikiHow

Not afraid to show his temper; quick to make up.

The New York Times

I wonder whether we have reached a point where we can't tolerate any show of temper or any kind of contact.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "erupted" or "exploded" to emphasize the intensity of the anger.

Common error

Avoid using "show temper" on its own. Instead, use it with a verb to indicate the act of showing temper (e.g., "He showed his temper").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show temper" functions as a noun phrase, but it's often used in conjunction with a verb to indicate the act of expressing anger or frustration. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase isn't grammatically correct as a standalone phrase, instead it usually requires a verb to indicate an action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "show temper" is understandable, it's grammatically incomplete on its own. Ludwig AI suggests that it's better to use it with a verb, such as "showed temper" or "shows temper", to properly convey the action of expressing anger. If you need to replace "show temper", consider alternatives like "display anger" or "express frustration". The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources, but is relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Get angry

Simple and direct way to describe becoming angry.

Display anger

Replaces "temper" with a more direct synonym "anger"; emphasizes outward expression.

Expose frustration

Substitutes "temper" with "frustration", focusing on the underlying emotion.

Evince anger

A more formal way to say show anger.

Reveal irritation

Uses "irritation" instead of "temper", highlighting a milder form of anger.

Express displeasure

Replaces "temper" with "displeasure", indicating dissatisfaction or disapproval.

Vent anger

Implies a release of pent-up anger, using the verb "vent".

Lose one's cool

Idiomatic expression meaning to become angry or agitated.

Fly into a rage

Suggests a sudden and intense outburst of anger.

Become enraged

Implies a high degree of anger or fury.

FAQs

How to correctly use "show temper" in a sentence?

It's better to use a form of the verb "show" (e.g., "showed", "shows", "showing") before "temper" to make the sentence grammatically correct. For example, "He "showed temper" when he lost the game".

What can I say instead of "show temper"?

You can use alternatives like "display anger", "express frustration", or "reveal irritation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "show temper" or "showed temper"?

"Showed temper" is generally more correct as it includes a verb indicating an action in the past.

What's the difference between "show temper" and "get angry"?

"Show temper" often implies an outward display of anger, whereas "get angry" simply means to become angry, whether or not it's outwardly expressed.