fed up: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘fed up’ mean?

The idiom *fed up* means feeling extremely annoyed, frustrated, or tired of something or someone. It implies a strong sense of dissatisfaction or exasperation.

Idiom Explorer

The Essence of Discontent

The idiom "fed up" is often used in American English to express extreme annoyance, frustration, or displeasure with a situation or person. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century and it may have originated from British English. The phrase is derived from the verb "to feed" and the adverbial particle "up." When used metaphorically, "to feed" means to supply or provide, while "up" denotes completion or saturation.

The idiom "fed up" gained popularity in the early 1900s and has since become a common expression in everyday conversation. It is widely used and familiar among English speakers, appearing in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music.

While the exact origin of the idiom is uncertain, some researchers suggest a connection to the British English expression "fed up to the back teeth," which means to be completely weary or disgusted. This theory proposes that "fed up" evolved over time, losing its connection to the body part and becoming a stand-alone phrase.

The idiom "fed up" has become an integral part of the English language, firmly embedded in daily conversation. It is a powerful expression that conveys one's exasperation or dissatisfaction with a particular situation or person.

Despite its widespread use, the meaning and intensity of "fed up" can vary depending on the context and the individual using it. Some may use it to describe mild annoyance, while others employ it to express deep frustration.

I felt frustration and annoyance due to constant interruptions.

In addition to "fed up," there are several related idioms that also convey a sense of annoyance or frustration. One such idiom is "have had it," which is used to express being completely worn out or fed up with a situation. It conveys a sense of reaching a breaking point and not being able to tolerate any more.

Another related idiom is "cheesed off," which means to be extremely annoyed or irritated. It is a more informal expression, often used in casual conversations to convey a sense of frustration.

"have had it up to here" is another idiom that is similar in meaning to "fed up." It is used to express being completely fed up or frustrated with a situation or person. The phrase "up to here" is often accompanied by a hand gesture indicating a level at or above the head, emphasizing the extent of annoyance or frustration.

The idiom "fucked off" is also related to "fed up" and is used to express extreme anger or frustration. It is a stronger and more vulgar expression, typically used in informal or heated situations.

These idioms provide additional variations of expressing annoyance, frustration, or dissatisfaction, allowing individuals to choose the phrase that best captures their emotions in a given situation.

In a world filled with complexities and challenges, the idiom "fed up" and its related idioms serve as reminders of the shared human experience. They encapsulate the range of emotions one can feel when faced with overwhelming or undesirable circumstances, providing concise and relatable expressions for those moments when words alone may not suffice.

Example usage

1. She was fed up with her job because of the long hours and low pay.

2. The students were fed up with their teacher's constant assignments and exams.

3. My brother is fed up with his noisy neighbors who party all night.

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