Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

spit the dummy

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.43 in modern English

Syllables
spit the -dum-my
IPA
25
Scrabble Score
12
Letters
3
Syllables
10
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To overreact (as an adult) to a situation, in an angry and childish manner.

Australian usage; Informal

Example Sentences

Etymology

Referring to a baby having a tantrum and spitting out its dummy.

Usage

Inflected Forms

spits the dummy (present, singular) spitting the dummy (participle, present) spat the dummy (participle, past) spat the dummy (past)

Phrases

dummy spit have a cow hissy fit

Frequently Paired Words

dummy spit have a cow hissy fit

Synonyms

throw a tantrum throw one's toys out of the pram

Questions

What does spit the dummy mean?
To overreact (as an adult) to a situation, in an angry and childish manner.
Where does spit the dummy come from?
Referring to a baby having a tantrum and spitting out its dummy.

How to pronounce spit the dummy

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “spit the dummy”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “spit the dummy”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “spit the dummy” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.