Meaning & use
fits of anger
Last updated
Meaning
phraseplural
Sudden, strong periods of anger that are hard to control and usually pass quickly.
Grammar: Plural phrase; the singular is 'a fit of anger'. Often used with 'have' or 'suffer'.
Patterns
- have fits of anger
- suffer from fits of anger
- in a fit of anger
He has frequent fits of anger that frighten his family.
She threw the plate across the room in a fit of anger.
Therapy helped him control his fits of anger.
Word forms
| singular | fit of anger |
|---|
Common combinations
- have fits of anger
- Young children sometimes have fits of anger when they are tired.
- in a fit of anger
- He said terrible things in a fit of anger.
- suffer from fits of anger
- After the accident, she suffered from fits of anger.
- sudden fits of anger
- Sudden fits of anger can be a sign of stress.
Synonyms and how they differ
- outbursts of anger
- Very close in meaning, but 'outbursts' stresses the sudden release of emotion rather than the episode itself.
- tantrums
- Tantrums are similar but are usually associated with children and include crying or shouting.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: fits of anger or fit of anger?
fits of anger vs fit of anger
The singular form refers to one episode; 'fits of anger' means repeated episodes.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Fits of anger' is plural and needs no article, so 'He had fits of anger' is correct. 'A fits' mixes singular and plural, 'angry' is an adjective not a noun, and the singular 'fit of anger' needs 'a'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fits of anger”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.