have/throw/pitch a tantrum
idiom
—used to mean a child has an angry outburst or someone who is not a child gets very angry and upset and behaves like a child
When he doesn't get his way, he throws a tantrum.
Examples of have/throw/pitch a tantrum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And then there’s the extended mid-round break Santi took to throw a tantrum (rightly or wrongly).
—
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
After a long two days of court naps and having to sit through mean memes, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to throw a tantrum.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2024
To round out the vibe, throw a tantrum until someone gives you a Mountain Dew.
—Jen Spyra, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
Read the full Cancer Daily Horoscope Leo (July 23 - August 22) Tempted to throw a tantrum?
—USA TODAY, 1 June 2023
Joe resisted answering any questions about the business and if pressed would throw a tantrum including kicking household objects and throwing tools against the wall.
—Peter J Reilly, Forbes, 10 July 2022
Sometimes when Christopher Wilson, who produces and performs bass music as Riot Ten, is out with his family, his four-year old son Kai will have a tantrum.
—Harry Levin, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2022
Flimsy answers are likely to be ridiculed and cause the quizmaster to have a tantrum, before an expert reveals the true answer and a provides a humorous demonstration or experiment.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 11 Apr. 2022
My children are just as likely as anyone else's to throw a tantrum on a plane or knock over a glass of juice at a restaurant.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Week, 25 Oct. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
After a long two days of court naps and having to sit through mean memes, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to throw a tantrum.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2024
To round out the vibe, throw a tantrum until someone gives you a Mountain Dew.
—Jen Spyra, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024
Read the full Cancer Daily Horoscope Leo (July 23 - August 22) Tempted to throw a tantrum?
—USA TODAY, 1 June 2023
Joe resisted answering any questions about the business and if pressed would throw a tantrum including kicking household objects and throwing tools against the wall.
—Peter J Reilly, Forbes, 10 July 2022
Sometimes when Christopher Wilson, who produces and performs bass music as Riot Ten, is out with his family, his four-year old son Kai will have a tantrum.
—Harry Levin, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2022
Flimsy answers are likely to be ridiculed and cause the quizmaster to have a tantrum, before an expert reveals the true answer and a provides a humorous demonstration or experiment.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 11 Apr. 2022
My children are just as likely as anyone else's to throw a tantrum on a plane or knock over a glass of juice at a restaurant.
—Stephanie H. Murray, The Week, 25 Oct. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Have/throw/pitch a tantrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%2Fthrow%2Fpitch%20a%20tantrum. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share