stick in someone’s craw: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘stick in someone's craw’ mean?
Stick in someone's craw means to annoy or irritate someone, causing them to feel offended or resentful.
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 "tell someone where to shove it" means to angrily reject or dismiss someone or something, often with hostility or contempt.
The idiom "suck it" is a slang expression used to dismiss or insult someone, often in a rude and aggressive manner.
"Stuck up" is an idiom used to describe someone who is arrogant, snobbish, or thinks they are superior to others. It implies a sense of haughtiness and a lack of humility.
The idiom "stick to someone's ribs" means that food is heavy or substantial enough to satisfy hunger and provide lasting nourishment.
The idiom "stick the knife in" means to purposely say or do something to harm or betray someone, usually when they are already in a vulnerable or difficult situation.
The idiom "stick one's nose into" means to interfere or be involved in someone else's business or affairs without invitation or permission.
The idiom "stick one's foot in one's mouth" means to say something that is embarrassing, rude, or tactless, usually unintentionally.
Stick one's foot in it: To say or do something foolish, embarrassing or inappropriate without realizing it, often causing trouble or offense.
Hidden Frustration
The idiom "stick in someone's craw" is a well-established expression in the English language. It describes something that is hard to accept or swallow, causing annoyance or irritation. This phrase has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century, making it a longstanding idiom.
The term "craw" refers to the crop or stomach of a bird, similar to a human throat or gullet. In this idiom, the metaphorical use of "craw" suggests that something is getting stuck or lodged in one's throat, making it difficult to swallow or accept.
When something sticks in someone's craw, it can be compared to other idioms such as "make someone's skin crawl" and "get under someone's skin". These idioms express a similar feeling of annoyance or discomfort, but with slightly different nuances. "Make someone's skin crawl" implies a creepy or unsettling feeling, while "get under someone's skin" suggests that something or someone is bothering or irritating them.
Another related idiom is "stick it to", which has a connotation of someone being mistreated or taken advantage of. This phrase implies that something unpleasant is being forced upon someone, causing them annoyance or frustration. It can be used interchangeably with "stick in someone's craw" to convey a sense of discontent or displeasure.
Similarly, "get underneath someone's skin" carries the notion of something or someone getting on someone's nerves. This phrase implies that irritation or annoyance, similar to something sticking in someone's craw, is occurring. It suggests that someone or something is bothering or frustrating someone to the extent that it gets under their skin.
The idiom "stick in someone's craw" is widely recognized and understood in contemporary English. It is commonly used in both casual conversations and formal writing, allowing individuals to express their disapproval or irritation towards something in a concise and vivid manner. Its figurative nature adds depth to the message, enabling the speaker or writer to effectively capture their sentiments.
The idiom "stick in someone's craw" is an enduring expression that captures the feeling of something being difficult to accept or swallow, causing annoyance or frustration. It has roots in the 16th century and its metaphorical use of "craw" highlights the imagery of something getting stuck in one's throat. This idiom can be related to other expressions such as "make someone's skin crawl", "get under someone's skin", "stick it to", "get underneath someone's skin", and "get on someone's nerves", which all convey a sense of irritation or discomfort. The wide recognition and usage of this idiom in contemporary English demonstrate its lasting relevance.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "stick in someone's craw" can be used in a sentence:
- That rude comment really stuck in his craw, and he couldn't stop thinking about it for days.
- The unfair decision made by his boss really stuck in his craw, and he was determined to address the issue.
- The politician's false promises stuck in the voters' craw, leading to a significant loss of trust.
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