rub (someone) up the wrong way
idiom
British, informal
: to cause (someone) to be angry or annoyed : to irritate
She meant to be helpful but her suggestion really rubbed me up the wrong way.
Cite this Entry
“Rub (someone) up the wrong way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20%28someone%29%20up%20the%20wrong%20way. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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