lost my temper

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost my temper" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have become very angry or suddenly become angry. For example: "I lost my temper when I saw my partner had broken their promise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I should not have lost my temper.

The Washington Post

I lost my temper at work.

The Guardian

At that moment, I lost my temper.

The Guardian

"I shouldn't have lost my temper," she said.

The New Yorker

"I got frustrated and lost my temper," he said yesterday.

The New York Times

I lost my temper, I started drinking a bit more.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I lose my temper.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I can lose my temper.

The Washington Post

I always lose my temper.

The New Yorker

"I don't lose my temper.

The Guardian

"I regret losing my temper," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost my temper" when you want to convey a sense of regret or acknowledge that you acted irrationally due to anger. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider the specific audience and tone you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "lost my temper" as an excuse for abusive or harmful behavior. While it acknowledges the loss of control, it doesn't justify actions taken while angry. Always take responsibility for your actions, regardless of your emotional state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost my temper" functions as an expression of personal experience, indicating a moment when one's anger became uncontrollable. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost my temper" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a situation where one's anger becomes uncontrollable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in both spoken and written English. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase serves to convey a personal admission of anger and often implies regret. While useful for explaining actions influenced by anger, it shouldn't be used to excuse harmful behavior. Alternatives like "flew off the handle" or "lost control" can offer slightly different nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost my patience

Focuses on the depletion of patience leading to anger; milder than losing temper.

lost it

A more general expression for losing control of emotions, including anger.

flew off the handle

Indicates a sudden and uncontrolled outburst of anger; more informal.

saw red

An idiomatic expression indicating sudden, intense anger.

became enraged

Implies a state of intense anger; more formal and intense.

became furious

Indicates a state of intense anger; slightly more formal.

lost control

Suggests a broader loss of self-regulation, not necessarily anger-specific.

reached boiling point

Implies a gradual build-up of frustration that finally erupts.

went ballistic

Suggests an extreme and uncontrolled reaction; highly informal.

had a fit

Suggests a display of uncontrolled anger or distress; often used in a lighter context.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose my temper"?

To "lose my temper" means to suddenly become very angry and unable to control your behavior or words. It often implies a regretful loss of composure.

What are some alternatives to saying "I lost my temper"?

You can use alternatives like "flew off the handle", "lost control", or "became enraged" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I lost my temper"?

Yes, the phrase "I lost my temper" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows standard sentence structure and verb conjugation.

How can I prevent myself from "losing my temper"?

While not a linguistic question, consider practicing mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or removing yourself from stressful situations to manage your anger and prevent yourself from "losing my patience".