ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spit the dummy

idiom
Meaning

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


Origin

disputed origin

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

Examples
SIMPLE

He always spits the dummy when he loses a game.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager spat the dummy during the meeting just because we disagreed with his new plan.

COMPLEX

Rather than addressing the valid criticism professionally, the director spat the dummy and stormed out of the boardroom in a fit of pique.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    chew the meat and spit out the bones

    To take in a great deal of information and selectively disregard some of it as invalid or inapplicable.

  2. 02

    dummy run

    A trial or practice before the real attempt.

  3. 03

    dummy spit

    The act of overreacting (as an adult) to a situation childishly, in an angry or frustrated manner.

  4. 04

    spit feathers

    To feel very thirsty.

  5. 05

    spit in the ocean

    A very small or insignificant amount; something of little importance.

  6. 06

    spit in the wind

    Alternative form of piss in the wind.

  7. 07

    spit into the wind

    Alternative form of piss in the wind.

  8. 08

    spit nails

    To speak or sputter in a very angry manner.

© 2026 English Reference