hate

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a thin line between love and hate

A very narrow division between feelings of love and feelings of hate. A: "How could I possibly have a crush on Brian? He's such a jerk! I can't stand him." B: "Yeah, but there's a thin line between love and hate."

See also: and, between, hate, line, love, thin

be sick of the sight of (someone or something)

To have a strong aversion or sense of disgust or dislike when encountering someone or something. At this point, he's betrayed me so many times that I'm sick of the sight of him.

grow to (do something)

To slowly begin to do something or feel a certain way over time. Ian annoyed me at first, but I really grew to like him as we spent more time together. Every young adult grows to want more freedom from their family—that's just how it is. Grandma grew to hate the cold and eventually moved to Florida.

hate (one's) guts

To utterly despise one; to feel nothing but hatred for one. I know for a fact that Stacy hates my guts. She told me to drop dead last time I saw her. He doesn't hate your guts, Paul. He's just mad that you lied to him.

See also: gut, hate

hate (someone or something) like sin

To hate someone or something very aggressively, intensely, or enthusiastically. I know you're suppose to forgive and forget, but I can't help it—I just hate him like sin for what he's done to me. Good luck getting Scotty out of bed this early—he hates mornings like sin.

hate begets hate

proverb If you treat someone with anger, malice, or hatred, it will typically cause them to behave in a similar way to yourself or to others. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and treat people as kindly as possible, even if they've wronged me in the past. Hate only ever begets hate, after all. It just feels like people only want to attack and tear down anyone with an opposing opinion these days. But hate begets hate, and all we seem to be getting is an ever-rising sea of ill will between each other.

hate breeds hate

proverb If you treat someone with anger, malice, or hatred, it will typically cause them to behave in a similar way to yourself or to others. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and treat people as kindly as possible, even if they've wronged me in the past. Hate only ever breeds hate, after all. It just feels like people only want to attack and tear down anyone with an opposing opinion these days. But hate breeds hate, and all we seem to be getting is an ever-rising sea of ill will between each other.

hate on (someone or something)

slang To criticize or dislike someone or something, especially for petty, vindictive, or ill-informed reasons. Ugh, my parents are always hating on my boyfriend. Quit hating on my outfit—I think it's cute!

hate the sight of (someone or something)

To have a strong aversion or sense of disgust or dislike when encountering someone or something. At this point, he's betrayed me so many times that I hate the sight of him. I could never be a doctor or nurse—I just hate the sight of blood.

haters gonna hate

slang There will always be those who seek to criticize and undermine things, whether justified or not. The phrase is often used to dismiss such critics while acknowledging that it is no use trying to stop them. I don't enjoy when opposing teams' fans boo me, but, hey, haters gonna hate. Oh well, haters gonna hate. Don't that dampen your excitement!

hate-watch

To watch a show, film, or other program that one strongly dislikes for the purpose of being able to criticize it or derive enjoyment from such disdain. No, I don't actually like "The Bachelor," I just hate-watch it.

I hate to break it to you

Used to introduce some information that one is about to reveal that the other person will find upsetting, unpleasant, or undesirable. A: "We'll need a strong third quarter to weather this downturn." B: "Well, I hate to break it to you, but sales are coming to a screeching halt." Look, I hate to break it to you, but Molly doesn't want anything to do with you anymore.

I hate to eat and run

Said apologetically by someone who has to leave a gathering very soon after eating. I hate to eat and run, but I have to catch the next train back to the city.

love-hate relationship

A relationship or connection with someone or something that is characterized by both very positive and very negative feelings. I've got a bit of a love-hate relationship with this car—I absolutely adore the way it looks and handles on the road, but it has given me nothing but grief with how many times it has broken down. Tom and I have something of a love-hate relationship. When we get along, we're the best pals in the world, but other times we just drive each other crazy.

pet hate

A source of annoyance for one; a pet peeve. Ugh, my pet hate is people who chew with their mouths open.

hate someone or something like sin

Fig. to hate someone or something a great deal. She won't eat brussels sprouts. She hates 'em like sin. I don't want that man anywhere near me. I hate him like sin.

hate someone's guts

Fig. to hate someone very much. Oh, Bob is terrible. I hate his guts! You may hate my guts for saying so, but I think you're getting gray hair.

See also: gut, hate

(I) hate to eat and run.

Cliché an apology made by someone who must leave a social event soon after eating. Bill: Well, I hate to eat and run, but it's getting late. Sue: Oh, you don't have to leave, do you? Bill: I think I really must. Mary: Oh, my goodness! I hate to eat and run, but I have to catch an early plane tomorrow. Bob: Do you have to go? Mary: Afraid so.

love-hate relationship

Fig. a relationship of any kind that involves both devotion and hatred. Tommy has a love-hate relationship with his teacher. Mostly, though, it's hate lately.

pet hate

Fig. something that is disliked intensely and is a constant or repeated annoyance. My pet hate is being put on hold on the telephone. Another pet hate of mine is having to stand in line.

hate someone's guts

Thoroughly despise someone, as in I hate Peter's guts. The guts here refers to a person's inner essence. [Slang; c. 1900]

See also: gut, hate

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

hate someone's guts

INFORMAL

COMMON If you hate someone's guts, you dislike them very much indeed. If she knew the real reason, she'd hate my guts. I loved my father very much — I would have hated the guts of anyone trying to take his place.

See also: gut, hate

hate someone's guts

feel a strong hatred for someone. informal

See also: gut, hate

ˌhate somebody’s ˈguts

(informal) dislike somebody very much: Don’t invite that man to the party. I hate his guts.

See also: gut, hate

your, his, etc. pet ˈhate

(British English) (American English your, his, etc. pet ˈpeeve) something that you particularly dislike: She didn’t mind people smoking, but her pet hate was people blowing smoke in her face.

hate, be sick of, etc. the ˈsight of somebody/something

(informal) hate, etc. somebody/something very much: I’m sick of the sight of him!

See also: of, sick, sight, somebody, something

hate someone’s guts

tv. to hate someone very much. You’re horrible. I hate your guts!

See also: gut, hate

hate on (someone)

Slang

To ridicule, insult, or act hatefully toward: Stop hating on them—they're my friends.