# gnash one's teeth

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/gnash-ones-teeth
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To grind or strike the teeth together in anger, signaling extreme rage, frustration, pain, or ferocity.

## Examples

- He started to gnash his teeth in anger.
- When the computer crashed and deleted his entire report, he could only gnash his teeth in frustration.
- The villain began to gnash his teeth, his face twisted in rage as he realized his elaborate plan had finally failed.

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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.