rubbing someone the wrong way

A form of rub someone the wrong way — To cause someone irritation, discomfort or annoyance, often unintentionally, because of one's behavior, manner, attitude or personality.

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Meanings

verb
  1. participlepresentpresent participle of rub someone the wrong way
Cite this entry
APA

rubbing someone the wrong way. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rubbing%20someone%20the%20wrong%20way

MLA

“rubbing someone the wrong way.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rubbing%20someone%20the%20wrong%20way. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rubbing someone the wrong way,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rubbing%20someone%20the%20wrong%20way.

Source: rubbing someone the wrong way on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.