Lost his Temper or Found his Temper. Which?

Question

If somebody who is said to have a bit of a temper suddenly has a fit of anger, they are said to have "lost their temper".

But surely you would think that if somebody had lost their temper it would mean that they are no longer prone to fits of anger.

So wouldn't the term "Found their Temper" be more approproate.

Answer 1

well a temperament is "unusual personal attitude or nature as manifested by peculiarities of feeling" so when you get upset, you're losing this calm attitude or warming nature... so you 'loose' your temper..

Answer 2

All languages have idiums (idia?). That's what that is.

In this case, it's a methaphorical expression.

We also say "lost his cool" when the very same thing happens.

Taking such expressions literally is mistaken.