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Get under Someone's Skin

What Does "Get under Someone's Skin" Mean?

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"Get under someone's skin" is an English idiom. It means "to irritate or annoy someone, often by repeatedly bothering them or provoking a reaction."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "get under someone's skin" used in a sentence:
  • His constant teasing started to get under her skin, and she asked him to stop.
  • She didn't want to get under her friend's skin with her persistent questions, so she changed the topic.
  • They tried not to let criticism from strangers get under their skin and affect their self-confidence.
meaning for get under someone's skin

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Get under Someone's Skin" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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