tempers begin to fray

: heat of mind or emotion : proneness to anger : passion

: calmness of mind : composure

: state of feeling or frame of mind at a particular time usually dominated by a single strong emotion

: to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence of something else : moderate

: to anneal or toughen (glass) by a process of gradually heating and cooling

: to harden (a material, such as steel) by reheating and cooling in oil

: to do the first part of an action : go into the first part of a process : start

: to come into existence : arise

: to have a starting point

: a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute

: to wear (something, such as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing : fret

: to separate the threads at the edge of

: strain, irritate

: a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)

: scare