temper

Everyday

1. Your temper is how easily you get angry: «a quick temper». tree →
2. A temper or temper tantrum is a sudden fit of anger. tree →
3. «Lose your temper» means to get angry and stop being calm; «keep your temper» means stay calm. tree →
4. To temper something is to make it milder or less strong. tree →
5. To temper metal or chocolate is to heat and cool it to make it hard and strong (or shiny). tree →
6. Your temper can also mean your mood or nature, such as being cheerful or gentle. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons about feelings, children learn how to manage their temper: breathe deeply, count to ten, walk away, talk about it. In stories a character with «a bad temper» snaps at others. In science and craft, blacksmiths temper steel and chocolatiers temper chocolate. Phrases: «lose your temper», «keep your temper», «bad temper», «temper tantrum», «hot-tempered».

Examples

• Try not to lose your temper. tree →
• The toddler had a temper tantrum in the shop. tree →
• My brother has a quick temper. tree →
• He kept his temper even when they teased him. tree →
• Count to ten when you feel your temper rising. tree →
• The blacksmith tempered the steel. tree →
• Her kindness tempered his anger. tree →

Note

«In a temper» means angry at the moment. Adjective: «bad-tempered», «good-tempered». Related but different: «temperature», «temperament». Losing your temper is a feeling to manage, not a crime; hurting someone is never OK.