Meaning & use
a wobbler
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformalBritish
A sudden angry or upset outburst, especially one that seems childish or uncontrolled.
Grammar: Almost always used with 'throw' or 'have': throw a wobbler, have a wobbler.
Patterns
- throw a wobbler
- have a wobbler
- throw a wobbler about something
My little brother threw a wobbler in the supermarket when Mum said no to the sweets.
She had a right wobbler when she saw the parking ticket on her car.
Don't throw a wobbler every time someone disagrees with you.
nouncountableinformal
A person or thing that wobbles, or something that is unsteady and likely to fail.
Grammar: Used as a countable noun: a wobbler, two wobblers; usually describing a thing rather than a person.
Patterns
- a bit of a wobbler
- the project is a wobbler
That old chair is a real wobbler — one leg is shorter than the others.
The deal looked like a wobbler, but they signed it in the end.
Word forms
| plural | wobblers |
|---|
Common combinations
- throw a wobbler
- He threw a wobbler when the train was cancelled again.
- have a wobbler
- She had a wobbler over the missing keys.
- a right wobbler
- Dad had a right wobbler when he saw the bill.
- throw a wobbler about something
- The kids threw a wobbler about going to bed early.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tantrum
- A tantrum is the neutral, standard word for a child's angry outburst, while 'a wobbler' is informal and can also describe adults.
- meltdown
- A meltdown is stronger and often suggests a total loss of control; 'a wobbler' sounds lighter and more everyday.
- fit
- 'Throw a fit' is the common American equivalent, but 'fit' can also mean a medical seizure, so it is less precise here.
Word family
Commonly confused: a wobbler or wobbly?
a wobbler vs wobbly
'Wobbly' is an adjective meaning unsteady, but 'a wobbler' is a noun phrase for an outburst or an unsteady thing. Say 'I feel wobbly', not 'I feel a wobbler'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'a wobbler' in the most natural way?
Choose one answer.
'Throw a wobbler' is the fixed informal British phrase for losing your temper. 'Make', 'do' and 'take' do not collocate with it in this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a wobbler”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.