PhrasesHub

Put your nose out of joint

    Definitions

      • to upset or annoy someone
        To cause someone to feel annoyed, offended, or upset by one's actions or words

      • to cause someone to feel jealous or envious
        To make someone feel jealous or envious due to one's success or good fortune

    Examples of Put your nose out of joint

    • The bully's constant remarks and ridicule put Sarah's nose out of joint at the school lunch table. She couldn't eat her sandwich without feeling humiliated in front of her peers.

      To put someone's nose out of joint is to make them feel embarrassed, ashamed, or upset by your actions or words. In this example, Sarah's confidence and self-esteem were affected by the bully's persistent criticism, causing her to feel uncomfortable and uneasy in social situations.

    • Sarah's promotion at work put Jane's nose out of joint.

      When Sarah was promoted at work, it made Jane feel jealous, resentful, or envious. The phrase "put your nose out of joint" means to make someone feel upset or annoyed, usually because they have been passed over for an opportunity or honor that they believe they deserve. In this case, Jane felt displaced or disgraced by Sarah's success, which made her lose her sense of self-esteem or position, symbolically as if her nose was dislocated, "out of joint."

    • The promotion of Rachel instead of Tom put Tom's nose out of joint.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone's feelings are hurt because they feel they've been excluded or passed over unfairly. In this example, Tom was expecting to be promoted instead of Rachel, and when he wasn't, he became angry and felt upset or resentful. This idiom can be applied to various situations where people feel excluded or overlooked.

    • The new boss's decision to hire an outside consultant instead of promoting someone from within put several employees' noses out of joint.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a group of people who feel excluded or upset by a decision. In this case, several employees felt passed over for a promotion or opportunity because the company hired an outside consultant instead. The idiom suggests that these employees felt their position or status within the company had been diminished or harmed by the decision.

    • After losing the sales competition, John's nose was definitely out of joint.

      This idiom can be used to describe a person's emotional reaction to a disappointing or unfavorable outcome. In this case, John had lost a sales competition and was feeling upset or resentful about it. The idiom suggests that his feelings had been harmed or bruised as a result of the disappointment.

    • When Emily's suggestion was ignored in the team meeting, her nose was put distinctly out of joint.

      This idiom can be used to describe a situation where someone's feelings are seriously hurt or upset because their ideas or suggestions have been dismissed or ignored. In this case, Emily was disappointed and angry because her suggestion had been overlooked in a team meeting. The idiom suggests that her feelings had been strongly affected by the dismissal.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "put your nose out of joint" is used to describe the act of upsetting or annoying someone. It can also refer to making someone feel jealous or envious. This phrase is often used in a lighthearted or humorous manner to convey the idea of causing someone to feel uncomfortable or irritated.

    It can be used in various situations, such as when discussing someone's reaction to a particular event or when warning someone about potentially causing offense. Overall, it is a colorful way to express the idea of causing someone to feel upset or envious.

    Origin of "Put your nose out of joint"

    The origin of the idiom "put your nose out of joint" is believed to come from the world of sports, specifically wrestling. In the sport of wrestling, if someone's nose was dislocated or injured during a match, it would be "put out of joint." Over time, the phrase evolved to be used metaphorically to describe the act of upsetting or annoying someone.

    The idiom has since become a common expression in the English language, used to convey the idea of causing someone to feel upset or jealous. Its origins in the world of wrestling add a colorful and vivid image to the phrase, making it a memorable way to describe the act of causing someone discomfort or irritation.