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Glite Dictionary
to throw one's toys out of the pram

to throw one's toys out of the pram

1 9.9
To behave in a childish sulky way after not getting what you want
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : hacer una rabieta
  • After losing the match, he really threw his toys out of the pram instead of accepting the defeat gracefully.

Examples

  • It's good to disagree and debate; it's not good to throw your toys out of the pram.

    Blog text (18)

  • She threw her toys out of the pram when she found out the party was canceled.

  • It's good to disagree and debate; it's not good to throw your toys out of the pram.

    Blog text (18)

  • The videos didn't contain any shouting, and the long article proves that he didn't just throw his toys out of the pram.

    Blog text (19)

  • The videos didn't contain any shouting, and the long article proves that he didn't just throw his toys out of the pram.

    Blog text (19)

  • He's acting like a self-entitled 2-year-old and is throwing his toys out of the pram as soon as anybody else attempts something even remotely similar to Steam.

    Blog text (14)

  • You can't throw your toys out of the pram every time things don't go your way.

Synonyms

to throw a tantrum
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • Informal
18 4.4

To show sudden strong anger or upset, often like a child

is mainly a sulky childish reaction to disappointment or frustration
to throw a fit
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • Informal
12 6.1

To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way

is more about sulky childish behaviour after disappointment than intense anger
to throw a dummy spit
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • UK
9.9

Have a childish angry outburst when you do not get your way

is more about sulky behaviour caused by disappointment rather than only anger
to throw wobblies
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • Slang
9.9

To have a sudden angry outburst like a child's tantrum

is usually a sulky childish reaction to frustration rather than public spectacle
to throw a wobbly
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • UK
9.9

To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way

is often a sulky childish response to disappointment rather than pure anger
to throw a snit
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • Informal
8.7

To suddenly become very angry or upset and act childishly

can mean a broader sulky or angry behaviour not only small episodes
to act like a manbaby
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a very childish way as an adult

is a sudden sulky childish reaction to frustration not ongoing immaturity
to radge over
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • UK
9.9

Get very angry or upset about small things

is usually a sulky childish reaction to disappointment rather than sheer rage
to blow one's top
vsto throw one's toys out of the pram
  • Informal
8.0

To suddenly become very angry

is a sulky childish reaction to frustration not a sudden violent loss of temper

Antonyms

to play it cool
  • Informal
27 4.5

Act calm and relaxed to hide nervousness

maturely
3 3.9

In a calm, sensible way like an adult

How Childish

to throw one's toys out of the pram
  • UK
1 9.9
to sulk
42 3.5
to pout
41 3.4

Surface Forms

throw one's toys out of the pram infinitive
throwing one's toys out of the pram present participle
throws one's toys out of the pram third person singular
threw one's toys out of the pram past
thrown one's toys out of the pram past participle

Morphology

throw + one + toy + out + of + the + pram

The phrase evokes a literal image (someone throwing toys out of a baby carriage) that clearly signals childish tantrum behaviour, so a learner who knows the words can partially infer the sense. However the expression is idiomatic and British, and the specific use as a metaphor for sulking or overreacting is not fully predictable without exposure to the idiomatic usage. Therefore it is not fully transparent but shows a clear link to the constituents.

Etymology

Throw one's toys out of the pram comes from the picture of a baby in a pram, a baby carriage, who throws their toys out when they get very upset. That's why the phrase means 'to behave childishly or sulk when you don't get your way'.