rub (one's) nose in it
(redirected from rub our nose in it)rub (one's) nose in it
To remind one of one's failures or wrongdoings. Whenever I make a mistake, my obnoxious co-worker is always eager to rub my nose in it.
rub someone's nose in it
Fig. to remind one of something one has done wrong; to remind one of something bad or unfortunate that has happened. (Alludes to a method of housebreaking pets.) When Bob failed his exam, his brother rubbed his nose in it. Mary knows she shouldn't have broken off her engagement. Don't rub her nose in it.
rub someone's nose in it
Bring something, especially an error or fault, repeatedly and forcefully to someone's attention. For example, I know I was wrong, but don't rub my nose in it. This expression alludes to the unkind practice of housebreaking a dog by rubbing its nose in its feces. [Mid-1900s]
rub someone's nose in it
orrub someone's nose in the dirt
INFORMALCOMMON If you rub someone's nose in it or rub their nose in the dirt, you embarrass or upset them by reminding them of something that they do not want to think about, such as a failure or a mistake that they have made. Okay, I got it wrong — there's no need to rub my nose it it! Sometimes the winners could not resist rubbing the enemy's nose in the dirt.
rub someone's nose in something (or rub it in)
emphatically or repeatedly draw someone's attention to an embarrassing or painful fact. informalThis expression comes from the mistaken belief that the way to house-train a puppy or kitten is to rub their noses in their faeces or urine if they have made a mess indoors.
1963 P. M. Hubbard Flush as May I'm sorry. I've said I'm sorry…Don't rub my nose in it.