# get someone's goat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-someones-goat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To annoy or infuriate someone.

## Examples

- His constant whistling really gets my goat.
- Slow internet speeds always get my goat.
- Does it get your goat when people leave the lights on?
- The way my neighbor parks his car across two spaces really gets my goat.
- It really gets her goat when the bus driver pulls away just as she reaches the stop.
- The store's new policy of charging for paper bags really gets his goat every time he shops.
- I try to stay calm, but seeing litter in the park always gets my goat.
- It really gets the manager's goat when employees arrive late for the morning meeting without calling first to explain why.
- It truly gets my goat when people interrupt others during a serious discussion, as it shows a complete lack of respect for the speaker.

## Origin

The origin is uncertain, though it has been suggested the phrase may be derived from the French *prendre la chèvre*, literally to take the goat. A popular but unproven story also attributes the idiom to the theft of a goat kept as a military unit mascot. No specific dates or individuals are recorded in the primary etymological accounts. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.