brassed off: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘brassed off’ mean?
The idiom "brassed off" means to be annoyed, frustrated, or fed up with a situation or person.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "p'd off" means feeling extremely angry or annoyed. It is an informal expression used to describe a strong negative emotional state in reaction to a specific event or situation.
The idiom "kiss off" means to dismiss, reject, or end a relationship with someone in a dismissive or rude manner.
The idiom "in high dudgeon" means to be in a state of extreme anger or resentment.
The idiom "hot under the collar" means to become angry or agitated, often due to a frustrating or irritating situation.
The idiom "hot and bothered" means to be agitated, flustered, or excited, often due to stressful or challenging circumstances.
The idiom "have had it" means to be completely fed up, exhausted, or at the limit with a situation or person.
The idiom "go off at score" means to become very angry or upset about something.
The idiom "give someone the brush-off" means to dismiss or reject someone in an abrupt or unceremonious manner, usually through indifference or rudeness.
The idiom "get on someone's nerves" means to irritate or annoy someone, causing them to feel frustrated or agitated.
The idiom "get lost" means to tell someone to go away or leave, often used in a rude or dismissive manner. It is a way of expressing annoyance or frustration with someone's presence.
Unmasking Melancholy
Brassed off is an idiom that is widely used in the English language. It means to be extremely annoyed, fed up, or frustrated with someone or something. The idiom has been in use since around the mid-20th century and is commonly used in British and American English.
The phrase "brassed off" comes from the musical instruments made of brass used in military and marching bands, such as trumpets, trombones, and tubas. These instruments are played by blowing air into them, creating sound vibrations. In the context of the idiom, "brassed off" metaphorically refers to the release of frustrations or annoyance through the forceful blowing of air, much like a musician blowing into their brass instrument.
The idiom "brassed off" is often used in informal conversations to express frustration or annoyance with a particular person, situation, or task. It adds color and emphasis to the feeling of being fed up or irritated, conveying a sense of strong emotion.
For example, one might say, "I'm cheesed off with my coworker's constant tardiness. It's really starting to affect our team's progress." In this context, the speaker is expressing their increasing frustration with their coworker's repeated lateness and the negative impact it is having on their work.
The idiom "brassed off" is closely related to other idiomatic phrases that express similar emotions, such as "browned off," "fucked off," or "p'd off." However, each phrase carries its own specific connotations and degree of intensity. "Brassed off" is often used when the level of annoyance or frustration is particularly high.
The idiom "brassed off" is a commonly used expression in the English language to convey a strong sense of frustration or annoyance. Its origin can be traced back to the musical instruments made of brass used in military and marching bands. The idiom is widely understood and used in both British and American English, adding color and emphasis to the speaker's feelings of discontent. Its vivid imagery and figurative meaning continue to make it a popular choice when expressing a strong sense of frustration or dissatisfaction.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "brassed off" can be used in a sentence are:
- John is really brassed off with his job because he hasn't received a promotion in years.
- She became brassed off when her flight got delayed for the third time.
- The students were brassed off with their teacher for giving them so much homework over the weekend.
More "Emotion" idioms
