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Rub the Wrong Way

Irritating someone or annoying an individual; handling someone in an insensitive manner

Etymology:

  • This phrase is used to express someone who’s involved in the act of annoying or irritating another individual. The origination of this particular phrase can be associated with preparing wood and cleaning it. Going against the grain and rubbing it in the appropriate direction could make it a bit rough.
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Nathan wasn’t aware of the fact that his words could’ve rubbed the wrong way to Julia.

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Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Rub the Wrong Way':

rub the wrong wayTo annoy someone without intending to.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Rub the Wrong Way

rub offrub up onrub off onrub salt in the woundrub up onrub outsee which way the cat jumpsrub somebody the wrong wayrub offsee one's way clear torub up onrub the fear of God intostart off on the wrong footthat way

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    "Rub the Wrong Way." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/rub-the-wrong-way_44996>.

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