throw a wobbly

throw a wobbly

To suddenly become very upset or intensely angry and make a big display of it. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. John threw a wobbly at work after the boss criticized his report. Needless to say, he won't be welcome back in the office on Monday.
See also: throw, wobbly
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

throw a wobbly

or

throw a wobbler

BRITISH, INFORMAL
If someone throws a wobbly or throws a wobbler, they lose their temper and get very angry, usually about something unimportant. I can't even mention the problem to Peter because I know he'll just throw a wobbly. I'm sure a lot of other girls of her age would have thrown a wobbler about it and made a big fuss, but not Catherine.
See also: throw, wobbly
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

throw a wobbly

have a fit of temper or panic. British informal
2000 Sunday Business Post The scene in which Dustin Hoffman's autistic character throws a wobbly in the airport had never quite left me.
See also: throw, wobbly
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • chuck a wobbly
  • Wobbly
  • fierce
  • garter
  • have (one's) guts for garters
  • have somebody's guts for garters
  • have someone's guts for garters
  • burst forth
  • fix somebody with a look, stare, gaze, etc.
  • (one's) heart out
References in periodicals archive
The "wobbly" clearly meaning "to throw a wobbly at the slightest thing".
Teething trouble is just excuse to throw a wobbly; Siobhan McNally diary of a single mum
Think about them, under deadly attack in the skies over Britain, the next time you are about to throw a wobbly because your computer won't work or you can't find a parking space.
Record View: Salute a hero