"Get on Someone’s Nerves"
Definition
The idiom "get on someone's nerves" means to annoy or irritate someone, especially when it happens repeatedly over time.
How to use it
This expression dates back to the late 1800s, when people began to understand the nervous system. The idea was that something annoying was agitating your body and making you feel tense. It is extremely common in everyday conversation and works with friends, family, or coworkers.
Examples
► "That clicking sound is really getting on my nerves."
► "He knows exactly how to get on her nerves without even trying."
From the lesson
The IT Crowd | Awkward Moments
This phrase appears in the The IT Crowd | Awkward Moments lesson. Open it to watch the scene and download the free worksheet.
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