perceived grievance or believes others perceive them to be inferior. Example of use: You’ve got a chip on your shoulder if you think Dustin has something against you. He’s just a serious person; he never smiles at anyone.
What does it mean when someone has a chip?
informal. C2. to seem angry all the time because you think you have been treated unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people: He has a chip on his shoulder about not having been to college. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.
Why do they say chip on your shoulder?
During the 18th century, this phrase had a literal meaning. The Royal Navy Board issued an ordinance that allowed shipwrights who worked on the docks to take home leftover wood for their own use. This ordinance declared that shipwrights were to carry chips on their shoulders so that officers could inspect them.
What’s another word for chip on shoulder?
What is another word for chip on your shoulder?
| aggressiveness | aggression |
|---|---|
| mettle | gameness |
| backbone | boldness |
| hardihood | hawkishness |
| forcefulness | anger |
Is it good to have a chip on your shoulder?
Be careful about that chip on your shoulder The fact is, that carrying a chip on your shoulder probably does you no good at all. It can make you more aggressive, touchy and reactive that you want to be. You will probably end up alienating people and ultimately just causing yourself more problems.
How do you get a chip on your shoulder?
To have a chip on one’s shoulder refers to the act of holding a grudge or grievance that readily provokes disputation.
When chips are down Meaning?
Definition of when the chips are down informal. : in a difficult situation : when things are not good True friends will stand by you when the chips are down.
What is chip off the old block meaning?
An expression used of people who closely resemble their parents in some way: Mark just won the same sailboat race his father won twenty years ago; he’s a chip off the old block.
What does it mean when you knock a pencil off someone’s shoulder?
What does the phrase close but no cigar?
close but no cigar. A narrowly missed success, as in That ball was definitely outclose but no cigar. This interjection alludes to awarding a cigar to the winner of some competition, such as hitting a target. [ Slang; early 1900s]
What does jump the gun mean idiom?
Start doing something too soon, act too hastily. For example, The local weather bureau jumped the gun on predicting a storm; it didn’t happen for another two days. This expression alludes to starting a race before the starter’s gun has gone off, and supplants the earlier beat the pistol, which dates from about 1900. [
What are examples of idioms?
The most common English idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Beat around the bush | Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable |
| Better late than never | Better to arrive late than not to come at all |
| Bite the bullet | To get something over with because it is inevitable |
| Break a leg | Good luck |
What is the best definition of petulant?
Definition of petulant 1 : insolent or rude in speech or behavior. 2 : characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : peevish. Other Words from petulant Synonyms Petulant Has Latin Roots Example Sentences Learn More About petulant.
What does having a good head on your shoulders mean?
intelligent Be intelligent or shrewd; have good sense or good judgment. For example, We can depend on George to figure it outhe has a good head on his shoulders. This term originated in the 1500s as have an old head on young shoulders, alluding to the wisdom of age and physical youth.
What does nothing to sneeze at mean?
something that deserves serious attention, esp. an amount of money: An extra two thousand bucks a year is nothing to sneeze at.
What does class mean in slang?
Summary of Key Points
| CLASS | |
|---|---|
| Definition: | High Quality or First Rate |
| Type: | Slang Word (Jargon) |
| Guessability: | 1: Easy to guess |
| Typical Users: | Adults and Teenagers |
What does lump mean?
Definition of lump it : to accept or allow something unpleasant or unwanted usually used in the phrase like it or lump it Like it or lump it, the new law goes into effect today.
What does wet behind the ears mean?
Immature Immature, inexperienced, as in How can you take instructions from Tom? He’s still wet behind the ears, or Jane’s not dry behind the ears yet. This term alludes to the fact that the last place to dry in a newborn colt or calf is the indentation behind its ears. [
What is giving up the ghost?
phrase [VERB inflects] If someone gives up the ghost, they stop trying to do something because they no longer believe they can do it successfully. If a machine gives up the ghost, it stops working. [informal]
What does throw a wet blanket on mean?
To make something be or seem less enjoyable, successful, or important. The court’s decision throws a wet blanket over the president’s plans for healthcare reform. Her crappy attitude really threw a wet blanket over the party.
What does it’s a small world mean?
Definition of (it’s a) small world used to show surprise when one meets someone one knows at an unexpected place or finds out that one shares a friend, acquaintance, etc., with another person You know him, too? Wow, it’s a small world.
What mean over the moon?
phrase. If you say that you are over the moon, you mean that you are very pleased about something. [British, informal] Synonyms: ecstatic, transported, delighted, thrilled More Synonyms of over the moon.
What does the idiom a piece of cake mean?
something easily done Definition of piece of cake : something easily done : cinch, breeze.
