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Glite Dictionary
to throw a dummy spit

to throw a dummy spit

9.9
Have a childish angry outburst when you do not get your way
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : hacer una rabieta
  • Whenever things don't go his way, he tends to throw a dummy spit instead of discussing calmly.

Examples

  • When the referee made a bad call, he threw a dummy spit and stormed off the field.

  • Don't throw a dummy spit over a small mistake!

  • She threw a dummy spit after realising someone else got her promotion at work.

  • He always throws a dummy spit when things don't go his way.

  • She threw a dummy spit when she found out that her friends had planned a party without inviting her.

  • After losing the game, he threw a dummy spit, slamming his controller down in frustration.

  • It's immature to throw a dummy spit when faced with criticism; it's better to learn from feedback.

Synonyms

to throw a tantrum
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Informal
18 4.4

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

is informal and mainly used in Australian and British speech
to throw a fit
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Informal
12 6.1

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

is typically seen as childish and excessive rather than just dramatic anger
to blow one's stack
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Informal
2 8.6

Suddenly get very angry and show it

is more childish and excessive rather than adult forceful anger
to throw one's toys out of the pram
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • UK
1 9.9

To behave in a childish sulky way after not getting what you want

is more sudden and explosive rather than sulky protest
to flip shit
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To suddenly become very angry

is more childish and informal rather than coarse vulgar anger
to throw wobblies
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Slang
9.9

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

is similar but used more broadly including Australian speech
to throw a wobbly
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • UK
9.9

To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way

is viewed as childish and excessive rather than simply angry
to throw a snit
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Informal
8.7

To suddenly become very angry or upset and act childishly

is a larger, more dramatic outburst rather than a petty upset
to blow one's top
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Informal
8.0

To suddenly become very angry

is more childish and seen as excessive rather than adult anger
to go shitnuts
vsto throw a dummy spit
  • Offensive
9.9

To suddenly become very angry or upset without control

is more childish and seen as an excessive display rather than raw vulgar rage

Antonyms

calm
735 1.0

Not showing strong feelings and being very still

How Angry

to throw a fit
  • Informal
12 6.1
to throw a dummy spit
  • UK
9.9
to throw a snit
  • Informal
8.7
to sulk
42 3.5

Surface Forms

throw a dummy spit infinitive
throwing a dummy spit present participle
throws a dummy spit third person singular
threw a dummy spit past
thrown a dummy spit past participle

Morphology

throw + a + dummy + spit

The sense 'to have a tantrum' cannot be directly derived from 'throw' (to toss), 'dummy' (which is ambiguous between a foolish person, a doll, or a pacifier), and 'spit' (to eject saliva or speak angrily). The phrase is an idiomatic, regionally marked expression whose overall meaning (childish outburst) is not predictable from the literal parts, so a B1 learner who only knows the component words would probably not infer it.

Etymology

The idiom throw a dummy spit comes from a simple image: one popular story says a baby who is angry will throw its dummy and spit, making a loud fuss. That's why the phrase means 'to have a childish tantrum'.