English Idioms

Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms

Get under skin

Meaning

The idiom "get under someone's skin" means to annoy or irritate someone so much that they become upset, angry, or uncomfortable. It can also mean to get someone to do something by making them feel uneasy or guilty. The phrase originates from the idea of a person's outer layer being scratched or penetrated in some way, causing discomfort and potentially revealing underlying vulnerabilities.

Usage

  • "I know it gets under my colleague's skin when I talk to him about politics during lunch." (Causing annoyance or irritation)
  • "My boss always gives me a hard time about meeting deadlines, but I know it's not personal and just his way of motivating me to do better." (Causing discomfort in order to motivate improvement)
  • "When my friend found out that her husband had been cheating on her, she was absolutely devastated. It got under her skin so much that she left him." (Causing emotional distress)
  • "The constant noise of the construction site next door gets under my skin and makes it hard to focus." (Causing annoyance or irritation)
  • "I know he's just trying to be funny, but when my brother jokes about my weight, it really gets under my skin." (Causing discomfort or emotional distress)

Roots and History

The idiom has its roots in the idea of having one's skin scratched or penetrated in some way. This can refer to physical harm or even a metaphorical attack on someone's psychological or emotional well-being. The earliest known use of the phrase can be traced back to the 19th century, but it has become more commonly used in contemporary language and has taken on a figurative meaning.

Synonyms in English

  • Irritate
  • Annoy
  • Upset
  • Discomfort
  • Emotional distress

Synonyms in other languages

  • In French, the idiom "entrer dans la peau" (to get under someone's skin) means to bother or irritate someone.
  • In Spanish, the phrase "darle agua al fuego" (to pour water on fire) means to annoy or upset someone.
  • In German, the idiom "den Kopf zu zerschlagen" (to crush one's head) means to make someone angry or upset.
  • In Italian, the phrase "far fuori la testa" (to get out of one's head) means to clear one's mind and focus.
  • In Mandarin Chinese, the idiom "打烊" (to knock one out) means to exhaust someone completely.

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