hissy fit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (Common in informal speech, less common in writing)Informal, colloquial, often humorous or pejorative
Quick answer
What does “hissy fit” mean?
A sudden, uncontrolled outburst of anger, frustration, or temper, often characterized by childish emotional displays like shouting, crying, or stomping.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sudden, uncontrolled outburst of anger, frustration, or temper, often characterized by childish emotional displays like shouting, crying, or stomping.
Any exaggerated, petulant reaction to a minor setback or criticism, implying a lack of emotional maturity or self-control. It can also describe a dramatic protest or complaint.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both common and understood, but slightly more prevalent in American English. The term is not regionally restricted.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both varieties. The 'hissy' part (imitating a hissing sound) conjures the image of a cat or snake, adding connotations of irrational, spitting anger.
Frequency
High frequency in informal American English; medium-high in British English. Equally likely to be used in both cultures.
Grammar
How to Use “hissy fit” in a Sentence
[Subject] threw/had/was having a hissy fit.[Subject]'s hissy fit over [object/issue].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hissy fit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He hissy-fitted when he saw the queue.
- She's likely to hissy fit over the smallest detail.
American English
- He totally hissy-fitted when his coffee was cold.
- Don't hissy fit just because you lost the game.
adverb
British English
- He reacted hissy-fittedly. (Extremely rare/non-standard)
- She shouted hissy-fit-ishly. (Non-standard, humorous)
American English
- He stormed out hissy-fit-ily. (Non-standard, jocular)
- She complained hissy-fit-tily. (Non-standard)
adjective
British English
- It was a very hissy-fit moment.
- (Adjectival use is rare; 'hissy-fit' as a modifier is more common: 'a hissy-fit reaction')
American English
- She gave me a hissy-fit look.
- We had a hissy-fit conversation about the remote control.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally to describe a colleague's or client's unprofessional overreaction. 'The client threw a hissy fit when we missed the deadline by an hour.'
Academic
Very rare; considered too informal and evaluative for scholarly writing.
Everyday
Very common in describing children's behavior or adults acting childishly. 'My toddler had a hissy fit in the supermarket.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hissy fit”
- Confusing it with 'hysterical fit'. Using it in formal writing. Spelling as 'hissyfit' (should be two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, as it is dismissive and implies the person is being childish or irrational. It's best used informally about situations, not directly to someone's face.
They are largely synonymous, but 'tantrum' is more neutral and strongly associated with young children. 'Hissy fit' is more colloquial and often used for adults, carrying a stronger tone of mockery or criticism.
No, it is far too informal and pejorative for professional written communication. Use terms like 'strong reaction', 'outburst', or 'expressed frustration' instead.
It comes from the verb 'to hiss,' like a snake or angry cat. It evokes the sound of someone expressing anger through sharp, spitting sounds or intakes of breath.
A sudden, uncontrolled outburst of anger, frustration, or temper, often characterized by childish emotional displays like shouting, crying, or stomping.
Hissy fit is usually informal, colloquial, often humorous or pejorative in register.
Hissy fit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪsi fɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪsi fɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Throw a hissy fit”
- “Have a hissy fit”
- “Go into a hissy fit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an angry CAT (hissing) having a FIT of rage. 'Hissy' sounds like the cat's sound, 'fit' is the outburst.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS AN UNCONTROLLED PHYSICAL CONVULSION / ANGER IS CHILDISH BEHAVIOR.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the phrase 'hissy fit' be LEAST appropriate?