impinge (up)on (someone or something)

impinge (up)on (someone or something)

1. To infringe on or interfere with someone or something. Any legislation that impinges upon human rights must be stopped. Mother, you can't impinge upon the decisions I make about my children! That's the border between our properties, so do not impinge upon my land!

2. To make physical contact with something. It feels like something is impinging on my shoulder joint when I try to move it. What is impinging on the door when and causing that awful squeaking noise? If you're experiencing numbness, I wonder if a bone or something is impinging upon the nerves in your back.

See also: impinge

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

impinge (up)on someone or something

to affect or interfere with someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) This will not impinge upon me at all. Will this matter impinge on my policies in any way?

See also: impinge, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

impinge on

or impinge upon

v.

1. To intrude or encroach upon something: I disagree with this new law because it impinges on my First Amendment rights.

2. To strike or collide with something: Sound waves impinge on the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.

See also: impinge, on

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.