PhrasesHub

Get on my wick

    Definitions

      • annoy or irritate someone
        To describe frustration or agitation with another person's behavior or actions, often used in a playful or mildly annoyed manner

      • get someone's attention or interest
        To express a desire for someone to pay attention or take notice, often used in a flirtatious or playful manner

      • cause someone to lose their temper
        To provoke or aggravate someone to the point of anger or frustration, usually used in a more serious or confrontational manner

    Examples of Get on my wick

    • The constant interruptions from my coworker are really getting on my wick.

      In this idiomatic expression, "wick" refers metaphorically to the fuse of a candle or lamp. When someone or something repeatedly disrupts or irritates us, we say that they are "getting on our wick" because we feel that our fuse is burning too quickly, making us more impatient and irritable.

    • I can't believe I'm stuck in traffic again! This commute is really getting on my wick.

      This usage is similar to the previous one, but here we're talking about being delayed or frustrated in our daily routine by some external factor, like heavy traffic during our daily commute.

    • I'm sorry that my criticism came across as harsh; I didn't mean to get on your wick.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to mean causing someone else to become angry, annoyed, or irritated. In this case, the speaker recognizes that something they said may have been misinterpreted, and they regret that their words could have had such a negative effect on the person they're speaking to.

    • I've had a really stressful day at work, and my partner's constant chatter is really getting on my wick.

      This usage emphasizes that sometimes, the person we're irritated with is someone who we normally get along with, but sometimes external pressures can make even the closest relationships more taxing and difficult. In this example, the speaker is frustrated with their partner's chattiness, which may normally be a positive trait, but right now seems intrusive and disruptive.

    • If you keep interrupting me during our meetings, you're getting on my wick.

      This idiom means that someone is becoming increasingly irritating or annoying to another person. In this example, the speaker is saying that the person interrupting them is making them angry or frustrated. "Wick" in this context can be seen as a metaphor for a fuse or spark that, when lit, can lead to an explosion or outburst of anger.

    • After a long day at work, I just want to come home and relax without any distractions. Stop getting on my wick!

      This example shows the idiom being used to indicate that someone or something is preventing the speaker from unwinding after a tiring day. It can also be used to express a desire for peace and quiet.

    • I can't believe you borrowed my car without asking and now it's broken down. You're really getting on my wick!

      This example highlights the use of the idiom in the context of someone causing inconvenience or trouble for another person. The speaker is complaining that the person in question has caused a problem by using their car without permission and breaking it in the process.

    • I've had enough of your constant complaining. It's getting on my wick!

      This final example shows the idiom being used to express frustration with someone's persistent whining or moaning. The speaker is indicating that they have reached their limit with the other person's negative behavior. The usage of the idiom here suggests that the other person's actions are starting to wear on the speaker's nerves, as indicated by the "wick" falling under the influence of some external factor.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "get on my wick" is commonly used to express annoyance or irritation towards someone's behavior or actions. It can also be used to playfully get someone's attention or interest, or to describe provoking someone to lose their temper. The phrase is often used in a lighthearted or humorous manner, but can also be used in a more serious context.

    Origin of "Get on my wick"

    The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom in the early 1900s. The word "wick" in this context refers to the wick of a candle, which is the part that burns and produces light. This could suggest that the idiom is referencing someone's behavior or actions as being like an annoying or irritating flame.

    Another possible origin of this idiom is from the slang term "wick" meaning a person's spirit or energy. In this sense, the phrase could be interpreted as someone's actions draining or depleting another person's energy or patience.

    Overall, the idiom "get on my wick" has evolved to become a common expression for expressing annoyance or irritation towards someone in a playful or humorous way. Its origins are not entirely clear, but it has become a widely used phrase in modern English.