- To seem angry, resentful, or easily offended, usually because of a perceived past slight, injustice, or sense of inferiority.
- Holding a grudge or feeling the need to prove oneself due to past grievances.
Explanation
Origin
- Dates back to the 19th century in the US.
- Reportedly, a boy seeking a fight would literally place a wood chip on his shoulder and dare others to knock it off. Anyone who did so would be accepting the challenge to fight.
- Metaphorically, someone with a chip on their shoulder is carrying around a grievance (the chip) and is looking for, or easily provoked into, conflict or argument.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Got beef (with someone/something, implying a grudge)
- Salty (about something modern slang for bitter or resentful)
- Carrying baggage (more general term for unresolved issues)
- Got issues
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Pissed off about the past.
- Got a stick up their ass (general term for being uptight or easily annoyed, sometimes related to perceived status)
Milder:
- Sensitive about...
- Still bothered by...
- A bit defensive
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- It's a character judgment, so be cautious about using it, especially in professional settings. It's more appropriate for discussing behavior with trusted colleagues or friends than for direct confrontation or formal evaluation.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners might not grasp the connection to past grievances and might just think it means angry. The key is the *reason* for the anger/defensiveness (a past issue).
Examples
- He always acts like he has something to prove; he's got a real chip on his shoulder about not going to college.
- Ever since she was passed over for the promotion, she's had a chip on her shoulder.
- Don't mention his old rival; he still has a chip on his shoulder about that loss.
Dialogue
Maria: David seemed really defensive in the meeting today.
Sam: Yeah, he tends to get like that. I think he still has a chip on his shoulder about not getting the lead position last year.
Maria: Ah, that makes sense. He probably feels he constantly needs to prove himself.
Sam: Exactly.
Social Media Examples
- Forum Post: My brother always acts like I'm attacking him when I offer advice. He has such a chip on his shoulder about me being the 'successful' one. #familydrama
- Tweet: That pundit clearly has a chip on his shoulder about not being taken seriously by academia. #media #attitude
- Comment: He comes across as having a chip on his shoulder. Always trying to one-up everyone.
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Observation: Yeah, I've noticed that too. / It definitely seems that way.
- Question: Why do you think so? / What happened to make him/her like that?
- Disagreement/Alternative View: Really? I haven't noticed that. / Maybe they're just passionate?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone suggests another person has a chip on their shoulder:
- Ask for the reason: What do you think caused it? or What's their issue?
- Discuss the person's behavior: Is that why they reacted so strongly yesterday?
- Express sympathy or judgment: That's tough, carrying that around. or They need to get over it.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's an observation or judgment about someone's attitude, usually made to a third party.
Intonation
- Stress often falls on chip and shoulder.
- Often said with a tone of observation, critique, or sometimes sympathy. He's got a CHIP on his SHOULder.
Generation Differences
- Well-understood across most adult generations, though perhaps slightly more common among older generations (30+). Younger generations might use terms like salty.
Regional Variations
- Common in the US and Canada. Understood but perhaps slightly less common in the UK and Australia.