Idiom
drive up the wall
Meanings
To annoy or frustrate someone intensely, especially over time or repeatedly.
Definition
To drive up the wall means to annoy or frustrate someone extremely.
If something drives you up the wall, it makes you feel very irritated, impatient, or frustrated. It is often used for repeated sounds, habits, delays, or behavior that you cannot easily stop. The phrase is informal and usually describes strong annoyance rather than mild irritation.
Examples
- That constant buzzing sound is driving me up the wall.
- The kids’ arguing in the back seat drove me up the wall.
- Waiting on hold for an hour drives me up the wall.
- His habit of tapping the table drives her up the wall.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.