# tell someone where to shove it

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/tell-someone-where-to-shove-it
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To express extreme anger, disgust, or hatred toward someone.

## Examples

- He was so rude that I wanted to tell him where to shove it.
- You should tell that rude customer where to shove it.
- I am tired of his lies and want to tell him where to shove it.
- After my boss insulted my hard work for the third time today, I almost told him exactly where to shove it.
- When the landlord tried to raise the rent for the third time this year, the tenant finally told him where to shove it and moved out.
- If they keep asking you to work for free, you have every right to tell them where to shove it.
- When the car salesman offered me a tiny amount for my trade-in, I told him where to shove it and walked right out of the dealership.
- Faced with the manager's arrogant demands and complete lack of respect, she finally reached her limit and told him where to shove it.

## Origin

The phrase entered usage as a euphemistic allusion to the imperative to shove it up your ass. The concluding pronoun acts as a placeholder for the anatomical destination, allowing for the expression of profound dismissal while nominally observing the requirements of public decorum.

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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.