A moment of rising frustration can strike at the most unexpected times, especially when things don’t go the way we planned. That’s when the idiom hold your temper becomes a useful reminder to pause before reacting. In this post, I’ll walk you through its meaning, origin, and examples so you can use it confidently in everyday conversation.
Meaning of “Hold Your Temper”
To hold your temper means to stay calm when anger starts to build.
More specifically, it can mean:
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Controlling emotional reactions during a stressful or irritating situation.
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Deliberately stopping yourself from showing anger.
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Responding thoughtfully instead of exploding.
In one sentence: To hold your temper means to keep your anger under control.
Origin of “Hold Your Temper”
The phrase traces back to the 1800s, when the word temper referred broadly to a person’s emotional balance or disposition. People spoke of having “good temper,” meaning calmness, or “losing temper,” meaning emotional imbalance.
As English evolved, hold your temper emerged as a natural expression for maintaining control rather than letting anger take over. While there isn’t a single recorded moment of origin, most interpretations point to the contrast between “holding” and “losing” one's emotional balance.
Examples in Sentences
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“Try to hold your temper during the discussion so we can resolve the issue fairly.”
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“I had to hold my temper when the delivery arrived late again.”
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“She managed to hold her temper, even though the feedback felt harsh.”
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“Come on, hold your temper—it’s just a friendly game!”
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“The coach urged the team to hold their temper and stay focused.”
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“If he can hold his temper, the negotiation will go much smoother.”
Similar Idioms or Phrases
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Keep your cool – Stay calm instead of reacting emotionally.
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Bite your tongue – Stop yourself from speaking angrily or impulsively.
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Rein it in – Pull back strong emotions or behaviors.
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Stay level-headed – Remain steady and reasonable under pressure.
Sometimes I rely on the reminder to hold my temper when a small setback threatens to distract me. Keeping that phrase in mind helps me step back, breathe, and handle the moment with more clarity. It’s a simple expression, but it nudges me toward responses that feel more intentional and less reactive.
Staying calm can make conversations smoother, decisions clearer, and days a bit easier. Do you use hold your temper in your everyday conversations? Share your examples in the comments!