bust someone's chops
- teaseMock playfully
- razzPlayful verbal teasing
- ribCurved chest bone
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- hassleIrritating difficulty
heckle · roast · mock · jab · grill · nag · badger · pester · harass · taunt · zing · dig · banter · wiseguy · ball-busting · sarcasm · diner · New York
interpersonal treatment
bust someone's chopsbutter someone up
praise · compliment · encourage · support · let someone off the hook
criticism intensity
bust someone's chopscut someone some slack
Relax your expectations temporarily
give someone a break · let someone off the hook · lay off · back off · let slide