Traditional
Still common
Definition
Throw a tantrum.
Example Sentence
"He spat the dummy when he didn't get his way."
Where "Spit the Dummy" Comes From
A vivid image borrowed straight from a baby spitting out its dummy (pacifier) in a fit of frustration, applied metaphorically to adults behaving the same way.
The phrase transfers a very visual, universally recognisable act of infant frustration onto grown-up tantrums and overreactions.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used to describe an outsized, often embarrassing overreaction — "he spat the dummy when he didn't get his way" carries a gently mocking tone.
It's frequently applied to adults in sport, work, or everyday disputes, implying the reaction was more childish than the situation warranted.
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