# nose out of joint

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/nose-out-of-joint
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An emotional state where someone is in a bad mood because they have been offended by or taken exception (objected) to some action, usually involving being seen in an inferior light to another person.

## Examples

- He got his nose out of joint because I won the game.
- She got her nose out of joint when the boss praised her colleague instead of her for the project.
- The senior partner clearly had his nose out of joint after the board ignored his proposal in favor of a younger associate's innovative strategy.

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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.