rub someone up the wrong way

rub (one) up the wrong way

To irritate one due to someone's or something's presence, nature, or habitual behavior (as opposed to directly intentionally). Primarily heard in UK, Australia. The way she smiles all the time really rubs me up the wrong way. It seems so fake. He's always talking about how those adverts rub him up the wrong way, but I think they're just a bit of fun.

See also: rub, up, way, wrong

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

rub someone up the wrong way

BRITISH, INFORMAL or

rub someone the wrong way

AMERICAN, INFORMAL

If someone rubs you up the wrong way, they annoy you. She rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way while she was working here. That woman just rubs me the wrong way. Note: Cats do not like having their fur rubbed `the wrong way', that is in the opposite direction to the way it naturally grows.

See also: rub, someone, up, way, wrong

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012