Bug someone

Meaning

The idiom "bug someone" generally means to annoy or pester someone repeatedly, usually with a small or seemingly insignificant issue. It can also refer to something that causes irritation or discomfort, such as a physical bug bite. The idiom is often used in the past tense, as in "I got bugged by a mosquito."

Usage

• I hate when my roommate bugs me about turning off the lights when I'm studying.
• The constant buzzing of the phone on silent mode was really starting to bug me.
• My allergy to peanuts can be quite bothersome, but it's not as bad as getting bugged by mosquitoes on a camping trip.
• She doesn't like it when her colleagues bug her during meetings.
• The constant pop-up ads on the computer were really starting to bug me.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "bug someone" is unclear, but it may have derived from the literal meaning of the word "bug," which refers to a small insect that can cause discomfort and irritation when it bites or crawls on a person's skin. The idiom has been in use since at least the 16th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, and its figurative meaning has evolved over time to include things that are simply annoying or bothersome.

Synonyms in English

• Pester
• Annoy
• Irritate
• Hound
• Harass

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: molestar, tormentar, afligir
• French: embêcher, gêner, trouver difficile
• German: stöhren, belästigen, aufdrängen
• Italian: molestare, disturbare, turbar

Similar Idioms

• beat a dead horse

• between you and me

• bite head off