out of temper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of temper" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is displaying angry or irritable behaviors. Example sentence: His son was always out of temper on his birthday, so his parents stopped celebrating the day altogether.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Something had put her frighteningly out of temper.

The New Yorker

I still went out and rode the next race – purely out of temper.

The Guardian - Sport

(On these occasions he was usually gone six or eight days and returned growling and out of temper, with the news that the Federal Union was run by a passel of blockheads and that the Army of the Potomac didn't have any more chance than a fiddler's bitch).

The New Yorker

What is treated as though it hardly matters is in fact a clue, and hundreds of pages later we will understand why Lady Dedlock, seeing a child greet its father, returned from work, might be so "out of temper" – and how much of an act (which fools the reader as well as her husband) it is for her to seem "bored to death".

The Guardian - Books

My Lady Dedlock (who is childless), looking out in the early twilight from her boudoir at a keeper's lodge and seeing the light of a fire upon the latticed panes, and smoke rising from the chimney, and a child, chased by a woman, running out into the rain to meet the shining figure of a wrapped-up man coming through the gate, has been put quite out of temper.

The Guardian - Books

"After our marriage," she wrote to him early on, "you will be forming theories about me, and if I am cross or out of temper you will only consider: 'What does that prove?' which will be a very philosophical way of considering it".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Because you can't parent with an out-of-control temper".

Huffington Post

If an item is out-of-stock, do not lose your temper with the employees.

WikiHow

His mother is dying, and his father, an out-of-work firefighter, indulges an increasingly drunken and violent temper.

The New Yorker

Crude oil was little changed as optimism that the United States is pulling out of the recession was tempered by ample petroleum inventories in the world's biggest energy consumer.

The New York Times

To one degree or another they all believe the government can guide and regulate the direction of the economy pull it out of an economic rut or temper an"unsustainable boom.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of temper" to describe a temporary state of irritation or anger, often in response to a specific event or situation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "out of temper" to describe someone's permanent personality trait. It implies a temporary state rather than a chronic condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of temper" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a temporary state of anger or irritation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of temper" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe someone who is temporarily angry or irritated. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "angry" or "irritable", it provides a nuanced way to express a deviation from a calm emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers various real-world examples. Use it to describe a temporary mood rather than a chronic personality trait, and be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angry

A more direct and general term for feeling or showing anger.

ill-tempered

Emphasizes a habitual tendency to be irritable.

irritable

Focuses on the state of being easily annoyed.

irascible

Highlights a tendency to become easily angered.

annoyed

Suggests a feeling of mild irritation.

in a bad mood

A general expression for being unhappy or irritable.

cross

A more subdued term for being in a bad mood or slightly angry.

peevish

Implies a childish or petulant form of irritability.

displeased

Indicates a lack of satisfaction or approval.

resentful

Suggests a feeling of bitterness and indignation.

FAQs

How can I use "out of temper" in a sentence?

You can use "out of temper" to describe someone who is currently irritated or angry. For example, "She was "out of temper" after a long day at work".

What are some alternatives to saying "out of temper"?

Alternatives include "irritable", "angry", or "in a bad mood" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "out of temper" a formal or informal expression?

"Out of temper" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it might sound slightly more formal than simply saying someone is "angry".

What's the difference between "out of temper" and "ill-tempered"?

"Out of temper" describes a temporary state of anger or irritation, while "ill-tempered" suggests a more habitual tendency to be irritable or bad-tempered.