rub someone the wrong way
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rub someone the wrong way
Where it comes from
From the negative reaction of a cat to being stroked contrary to the direction its fur lies.
verb rubs someone the wrong way · rubbing someone the wrong way · rubbed someone the wrong way · rub someone up the wrong way
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To cause someone irritation, discomfort or annoyance, often unintentionally, because of one's behavior, manner, attitude or personality.
“Look, I tell you what, Mac. Seeing how as you're my best friend” “Yeah!” “Maybe you can look into it for me. Go snoop around the shop.” “Can-can I stop you for a second? I'm sorry. I'm a little confused here. You-you just said that he was your best friend? How is he your best friend over me?” “Well
Similar: chap someone's hide, raise someone's hackles, aggravate, annoy, nettle, rankle, ruffle, sting, burn someone's ass, antagonize, bother, disgruntle
Translations
Every language
verb to bother
| Español | no caer bien |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 讓某人很不爽 /让某人很不爽 ràng mǒurén hěn bùshuǎng |
| Deutsch | jmdn. ein Dorn im Auge sein, jmdn. gegen den Strich gehen, jmdn. über die Hutschnur gehen, jucken, kratzen |
| Italiano | infastidire, irritare |
Talk about this word "rub someone the wrong way." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/rub%20someone%20the%20wrong%20way. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. rub someone the wrong way. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/rub%20someone%20the%20wrong%20way "rub someone the wrong way." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/rub%20someone%20the%20wrong%20way.Cite this
@misc{rub_someone_the_wrong_way_2026,
title = {rub someone the wrong way},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/rub%20someone%20the%20wrong%20way},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
