- To annoy or irritate someone, often persistently or over time.
Explanation
Origin
- Dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century.
- The expression relates to the idea that annoyance directly affects one's nervous system, causing agitation, discomfort, or a 'jangled' feeling.
- It suggests the irritation is grating and persistent, directly impacting one's state of calm.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Bugging me
- Grinding my gears
- Doing my head in (UK/Aus)
- Ticking me off
- Getting to me
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Pissing me off
- Getting on my tits (UK, very vulgar)
- Annoying the shit out of me
Milder:
- Bothering me
- Irritating me
- It's a bit annoying
- It's frustrating
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Generally acceptable among friends, family, and sometimes colleagues about a shared annoyance.
- Avoid saying it *directly to* a superior about their actions. Use cautiously when complaining *about* someone.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well understood idiomatically. The literal meaning isn't typically confusing.
Examples
- That constant dripping sound is really starting to get on my nerves.
- His habit of interrupting people really gets on my nerves.
- Please stop humming, it's getting on my nerves.
Dialogue
Sarah: Ugh, the car alarm across the street has been going off for ten minutes.
Ben: Seriously? Yeah, that's really getting on my nerves now.
Sarah: Me too. I hope someone turns it off soon.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: These constant political ads are seriously getting on my nerves! 😤 #annoyed #election
- Facebook Post: Does anyone else have that one coworker whose loud typing gets on their nerves all day? 😅
- Comment: Stop tagging me in random posts, it really gets on my nerves.
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Tell me about it!, I know, right?, It's annoying me too.
- Sympathy: Oh no, that sounds frustrating., I can see why that would bother you.
- Inquiry: Really? What's bothering you?
- If directed at the listener's actions: Apology (Oh, sorry, I didn't realize.) or Defensiveness (I'm not doing anything!).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After hearing it: What's up?, What specifically is annoying you?, Can I do anything?
- The speaker might elaborate on the source of irritation, sigh, ask the source to stop, or remove themselves from the situation.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually a response to an ongoing annoyance rather than an opener.
Intonation
- Stress usually falls on GETTING, ON, and NERVES.
- The tone is typically one of irritation or frustration, often increasing in intensity if the annoyance persists. That noise is really GETTING ON my NERVES!
Generation Differences
- Commonly understood and used across most generations.
Regional Variations
- Widely used in all major English-speaking regions (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.).
- Wind me up is a common British English equivalent.