By the skin of your teeth

[0393] Get off my back

🎲 Give someone the cold shoulder
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Stop bothering me, criticizing me, or nagging me.
  • Leave me alone.

Origin

  • The image is of someone physically clinging to your back, being a weight or burden.
  • It implies constant pressure, nagging, or scrutiny that feels burdensome and annoying.
  • It's a demand for that pressure to stop.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Leave me alone.
  • Stop bothering me.
  • Give me a break.
  • Lay off me. (Informal)
  • Cut me some slack. (Ask for less pressure/criticism)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Chill out! (Telling someone to calm down/stop being intense)
  • Back off! (A direct command to stop pressuring or approaching)
  • Quit riding my ass. (Informal/slightly vulgar stop pressuring/monitoring closely)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Get the fuck off my back! (Very angry and direct)
  • Stop busting my balls/chops. (Vulgar stop giving me a hard time) *Often implies unfair or excessive criticism*

Milder/More Polite (but still direct):

  • Could you please give me some space?
  • I need you to stop commenting on this.
  • I've heard you, please let it rest.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal and confrontational.
  • Expresses significant annoyance or anger.
  • Generally inappropriate in professional settings, especially towards superiors. Could be used cautiously with peers if the relationship allows and the situation warrants (but risks damaging rapport).
  • Use with care, as it can easily escalate conflict.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • While the meaning is usually clear from the context and tone, learners should understand it's a strong, negative reaction and not a casual request.
  • It implies significant frustration.

Examples

  • Just get off my back, will you? I'll do it later!
  • My boss is constantly checking my work; I wish he'd get off my back.
  • She finally told her brother to get off her back about her life choices.

Dialogue

Mom: Did you clean your room yet? You said you would.

Teenager: Mom, get off my back! I'll do it when I'm ready!

Mom: Don't use that tone with me! I wouldn't have to ask if you'd just do it.

Teenager: Urgh, fine! (Stomps off)

Social Media Examples

  • Venting Post: Seriously need certain people to GET OFF MY BACK about my choices. My life, my decisions. #boundaries #rant #leavemealone
  • Reply (in an argument): @[User] Get off my back! I already said I'd look into it. Stop spamming me.
  • Meme Text: (Picture of an annoyed cat) When someone asks you for the fifth time if you've done that thing yet. #getoffmyback

Response Patterns

(If directed at someone):

  • Defensively: I was just trying to help! / Fine, I won't say anything else.
  • Angrily: Don't talk to me like that!
  • Submissively: Okay, okay, sorry.

(If hearing someone else say it):

  • Might try to mediate: Okay guys, let's calm down.
  • Might simply observe or stay out of it.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone is told Get off my back:

  • The person addressed usually stops the behaviour (nagging, criticizing) or withdraws.
  • The situation might become tense or result in an argument.

The person who said it might reinforce their boundary: Seriously, leave me alone about it.

    Conversation Starter

    • No.
    • It's a reaction to being bothered, often escalating a conflict rather than starting a conversation.

    Intonation

    • Typically spoken with irritation, annoyance, or anger.
    • Stress falls heavily on Get OFF and BACK.
    • Get OFF my BACK! often sharp and possibly loud.

    Generation Differences

    • Common and understood across most generations, particularly when expressing frustration.

    Regional Variations

    • Widely used in American English.
    • Also common in UK, Canadian, and Australian English.
    By the skin of your teeth
    🎲 Give someone the cold shoulder