ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rub up the wrong way

idiom
Meaning

To annoy or anger someone.


Examples
SIMPLE

His constant complaining rubs me up the wrong way.

CONTEXTUAL

I try to be polite, but his arrogant attitude really rubs me up the wrong way during meetings.

COMPLEX

Although he was technically qualified for the position, his condescending tone during the interview rubbed the hiring committee up the wrong way.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little of something goes a long way

    Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.

  2. 02

    all the way to Egery and back

    The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.

  3. 03

    bark up the wrong tree

    To take the wrong approach to a situation; to follow a false lead; to attempt to solve a problem using mistaken assumptions about its true nature.

  4. 04

    by the way

    Irrelevantly, off-topic.

  5. 05

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  6. 06

    cry all the way to the bank

    To be happy due to the receipt of money, but sad about the cause.

  7. 07

    cut both ways

    To have both benefits and drawbacks.

  8. 08

    die the way one lived

    To die because of or after doing something characteristic of oneself, especially something that one enjoyed doing.

Last updated April 17, 2026