grinds one's gears
Really gets bothersome
Something that grinds one's gears is a source of persistent annoyance or irritation.
The phrase evokes the harsh, grating sound of misaligned mechanical gears: You know what really grinds my gears? People who don't use turn signals.
It typically introduces a pet peeve or minor grievance rather than serious anger.
- rudenessDisrespectful social behavior
- complainingExpressing discontent verbally
- incompetenceLack of required skill
- sighingAudible breath of emotion
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
drives me crazy · ticks me off · rankles · hypocrisy · frustration · exasperation · gets under my skin · unfairness · nettles · rubs the wrong way · arrogance · anger · dishonesty · indignation · eye-rolling · micromanagement · interruptions · loud chewing