get on someone’s nerves: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘get on someone's nerves’ mean?
The idiom "get on someone's nerves" means to irritate or annoy someone, causing them to feel frustrated or agitated.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "touch a nerve" means to say or do something that upsets or angers someone, usually because it reminds them of a sensitive or painful subject.
The idiom "hurt someone's feelings" means to cause emotional pain or upset to someone by saying or doing something that offends or upsets them.
The idiom "hot under the collar" means to become angry or agitated, often due to a frustrating or irritating situation.
The idiom "give someone grief" means to continuously cause trouble or annoyance to someone, often by criticizing or complaining about their actions or behavior.
The idiom "get up the yard" means to become angry or annoyed. It is commonly used to describe someone who becomes frustrated or irritated.
The idiom "get under someone's skin" means to annoy or bother someone to the point where they feel irritated or angry. It refers to something or someone that has a persistent and intrusive effect on someone's emotions or thoughts.
The idiom "get underneath someone's skin" means to bother or annoy someone deeply, causing them to feel irritated or angry.
The idiom "get someone's dander up" means to make someone angry or agitated. It implies that something has provoked a person to the point of becoming heated or irritated.
The idiom "get someone's back up" means to irritate or cause someone to become defensive or angry.
The idiom "get out of someone's hair" means to stop bothering or annoying someone, to leave them alone or to give them space.
Decoding the Quirk
The idiom 'get under someone's skin' is closely related to 'get on someone's nerves.' When someone or something 'gets under your skin,' it means they irritate or bother you to a great extent. This idiom suggests that the annoyance goes beyond surface-level irritation and deeply affects the individual. It is a more intense version of 'getting on someone's nerves,' implying that the person or situation is causing significant emotional discomfort or frustration.
Similarly, the idiom 'get someone's dander up' is another related phrase that conveys a similar meaning. When someone's 'dander is up,' it means they are highly angered or irritated. In this context, 'dander' refers to a person's temper or anger. This idiom suggests that the person's irritation has reached a boiling point, and they may be on the verge of expressing their frustration in a more aggressive or confrontational manner.
Another related phrase, 'get underneath someone's skin,' also shares similarities with 'get on someone's nerves.' When someone or something 'gets underneath your skin,' it means they deeply irritate or annoy you. This idiom conveys the idea that the source of irritation is penetrating beneath the surface, reaching a point of heightened sensitivity or discomfort. It suggests that the annoyance is not easily shaken off and may linger in the person's subconscious thoughts or emotions.
It is interesting to note that these related idioms, including 'get on someone's nerves,' 'get under someone's skin,' 'get someone's dander up,' and 'get underneath someone's skin,' all highlight the impact of irritation or annoyance on an individual's emotional state. They emphasize the subjective nature of irritations and the different ways people may respond to them.
The idiom 'get on someone's nerves' is widely used to express irritation or annoyance towards certain behaviors or actions. Its origins may be unclear, but its meaning and usage are well-understood in the English language. The related idioms 'get under someone's skin,' 'get someone's dander up,' and 'get underneath someone's skin' further explore the idea of deep irritations and their impact on individuals. These idioms reflect the complexities of human emotions and interactions, providing a descriptive language to express frustrations in both personal and professional settings.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom get on someone's nerves can be used in a sentence:
- Her constant gum chewing really gets on my nerves.
- The loud construction noise is getting on my nerves; I can't concentrate.
- He always interrupts me when I'm speaking, and it really gets on my nerves.
The idiom get on someone's nerves is used to express when someone or something is irritating or annoying someone else. It refers to a situation where someone's actions or behavior are causing frustration or agitation to someone. The phrase implies that the person or action is having a negative effect on the other person's emotions or mental state.
More "irritation" idioms
