rub (one's) 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.

See also: nose, rub

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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.

See also: nose, rub

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

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]

See also: nose, rub

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.

rub someone's nose in it

or

rub someone's nose in the dirt

INFORMAL

COMMON 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.

See also: nose, rub

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

rub someone's nose in something (or rub it in)

emphatically or repeatedly draw someone's attention to an embarrassing or painful fact. informal

This 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.

See also: nose, rub, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

rub somebody’s ˈnose in it

(also rub it ˈin) (informal) continue reminding somebody about a mistake they have made or an unpleasant truth: She’s always rubbing my nose in it. She’s never forgiven me for not taking that job. ♢ I know I made the wrong decision, but there’s no need to rub it in, is there?

See also: nose, rub

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017