rub someone the wrong way
Cause gradual friction
To rub someone the wrong way is to irritate or annoy them, often without intending to: Something about his manner just rubs me the wrong way.
The image is of stroking an animal against the grain of its fur, producing discomfort.
The phrase describes an instinctive negative reaction to a person or their behavior rather than a specific grievance.
- rub up the wrong wayCause unintended friction
- get under skinAnnoy profoundly and persistently
- annoyCause mild irritation
- irkTo mildly vex
- irritateCause mild anger
vex · exasperate · tick off · provoke · displease · infuriate · put out · brusqueness · tactlessness · bug · pique · inconsideration · social faux pas · friction · personality clash · upset · nettle · passive-aggressiveness
rub someone the wrong waycharm
Attractive personal quality
ingratiate · hit it off · warm the cockles of someone's heart · strike a chord · break the ice
rubbing, rubber, someone, wrongly, wrongness, wrongful, wrongfully