lost his temper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost his temper" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe a person becoming angry or losing control of their emotions. Example: After hours of waiting in line, the customer lost his temper and began yelling at the cashier.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Henry lost his temper.

The New Yorker

Like Obama, he lost his temper.

Independent

St. Pierre lost his temper.

The New Yorker

Mr. Fanizzi lost his temper.

The New York Times

"My friend lost his temper.

The New Yorker

With Amanpour, he lost his temper.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

He just lost his temper.

HuffPost

"He used to be constantly tired and out of sorts, had a hard time concentrating and easily lost his temper.

BMC Pediatrics

The chef saw me and lost his temper.

The New Yorker

"This man never lost his temper," she said.

The New York Times

Nor rarely lost his temper with me, not in that early time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone who "lost his temper", be specific about the context and the resulting actions. This provides a clearer and more impactful picture for the reader.

Common error

Instead of just saying someone "lost his temper", describe the visible signs of anger, such as raised voice, flushed face, or aggressive gestures. This makes the description more vivid and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost his temper" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in emotional state. It describes a situation where an individual transitions from a state of calm to one of anger and loss of control. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost his temper" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone becoming angry and losing control of their emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it is appropriate for neutral contexts, being descriptive about the context and the visible signs of the reaction provides a clearer picture. Consider alternatives like "became enraged" or "flew into a rage" for stylistic variation. To improve writing, avoid vague language and describe specific signs of anger.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flew into a rage

Emphasizes the sudden and uncontrolled nature of the anger.

became enraged

Focuses on the resulting state of intense anger.

became furious

Highlights the intensity of the anger experienced.

became irate

Describes a state of heightened annoyance and anger.

exploded in anger

Highlights the sudden and forceful release of pent-up frustration.

went ballistic

Suggests an extreme and uncontrolled outburst of anger.

snapped

Implies a sudden breaking point and subsequent loss of temper.

reached boiling point

Metaphorically describes reaching a threshold of anger.

lost control

Indicates a general loss of self-regulation, encompassing emotional expression.

lost it

Informal way of saying that someone lost control of their emotions.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "lost his temper"?

Saying someone "lost his temper" means they became angry and lost control of their emotions, often resulting in shouting, aggression, or other displays of displeasure.

What are some synonyms for "lost his temper"?

Alternatives include "became enraged", "flew into a rage", or "lost control", each conveying a similar sense of uncontrolled anger.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost his temper"?

Yes, "lost his temper" is grammatically correct and a commonly used idiom to describe someone becoming angry.

How can I describe the consequences after someone "lost his temper"?

You can describe the immediate aftermath, such as shouting, arguing, or physical actions, and the longer-term consequences, such as damaged relationships or regrets.