Idiom
rub up the wrong way
Meanings
To irritate or annoy someone, especially because of one’s manner, tone, or behavior.
Definition
To rub up the wrong way means to annoy or irritate someone, often because of your manner or what you say.
If someone or something rubs you up the wrong way, it makes you feel annoyed or irritated. This often happens because a person’s attitude, tone, or behavior feels disrespectful or unfriendly. It can also be used for a comment or habit that repeatedly bothers someone.
Examples
- His sarcastic comments really rub up the wrong way.
- The way she interrupts people can rub up the wrong way.
- That customer’s attitude rubbed me up the wrong way.
- Some of his jokes rub up the wrong way, even when he means well.
More at B2 level
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- 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.