English everyday – in a strop and in a mood

‘My computer is having a strop. So is my daughter! 😦 ‘

You can throw a strop, have a strop or be in a strop. Can you guess the meaning? The picture at the top is also a clue.

Strop means to be in a bad mood, angry or sulking. Generally feeling bad and angry. The dictionary says stroppy is often used with teenagers. If someone is often this way you could say; ‘he/she is stroppy.’

We also use ‘in a mood’ without ‘bad’ to say someone is angry, sulking, annoyed or grumpy. Or if their mood often changes you can say; ‘they are a moody person.’

It is not very polite or positive to call someone ‘moody’ or ‘stroppy’ and if you said it to their face, they’ll definitely become more moody!

In a huff, in a grump, and miffed are a few more informal expressions to say someone is in a bad mood. There’s lots more, do you know some?

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Published by Abbie

English teacher, coach and writer. Helping English learners and teachers get more confident in their skills.

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