# grammar Nazi

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/grammar-nazi
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A person who habitually criticizes the grammar and (often) usage in others' speech or writing, often in ways that are sometimes not even linguistically accurate.

## Examples

- My brother is a grammar Nazi about my text messages.
- Please do not be a grammar Nazi while I am still learning English.
- You are being a grammar Nazi about a very small mistake.
- She acts like a total grammar Nazi whenever someone uses the wrong form of their or there.
- I stopped posting my poems online because a grammar Nazi kept leaving rude comments about my creative punctuation choices.
- Our boss is such a grammar Nazi that he sends back every email if there is even one tiny spelling mistake.
- I hate writing in the group chat because a grammar Nazi always corrects my typos instead of answering my actual questions.
- Although he considers himself a helpful editor, his friends often find his behavior as a grammar Nazi quite exhausting during casual conversation.

## Origin

First attested c. 1991, from *grammar* + *Nazi*. The latter term is used here to denote a person who imposes their views on others or is considered unfairly oppressive and needlessly strict.

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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.