A conniption is a sudden outburst of anger or frustration, often over something relatively small. When someone has a conniption (or throws a conniption fit), they lose their temper in a dramatic, visible way: shouting, stomping, or carrying on as if something terrible has happened.

Picture a younger sibling discovering their favorite cereal box is empty, then wailing and flailing as if it's the worst disaster imaginable. Or imagine a coach having a conniption on the sidelines when the referee makes a questionable call, red-faced and gesturing wildly. The word captures that moment when someone's reaction seems way out of proportion to what actually happened.

A conniption isn't quiet frustration or calm disappointment. It's loud, physical, and impossible to miss. Your grandmother might have a conniption if you track mud across her freshly mopped floor. A perfectionist might throw a conniption over a tiny mistake in an art project.

The word often appears with a touch of humor or exaggeration. When someone says “Don't have a conniption,” they're usually telling another person not to overreact. While the anger is real, calling it a conniption suggests the reaction is excessive, maybe even a bit ridiculous.