Wick - you get on my

Definitions

• express annoyance or irritation
  To show frustration or anger towards someone for their actions or behavior

• provoke someone
  To intentionally annoy or provoke someone to elicit a reaction or response

Examples of Wick - you get on my

• The boss's constant criticism and micromanaging of your tasks is really starting to get on your wick.

  In this example, the idiom "get on your wick" means to irritate or annoy someone. The boss's negative behavior is causing the speaker to become agitated and frustrated.

• I couldn't concentrate during the meeting because my coworker kept interrupting and getting on my wick.

  In this example, the idiom "get on your wick" is again being used to express annoyance. The coworker's constant interruptions are disrupting the speaker's focus and causing them to become annoyed.

• I'm sorry if I came across as rude yesterday, but you seemed to be getting on my wick for some reason.

  In this example, the speaker is acknowledging that they may have acted in a rude or unpleasant manner towards someone else. They're attributing this behavior to the fact that the other person was irritating or annoying them.

• I think we need to address the issue of John constantly getting on our wick with his negative attitude and constant complaining.

  In this example, the idiom "get on our wick" is being used in a plural form to describe the collective annoyance of multiple people. The speaker is suggesting that something needs to be done about a coworker's negative behavior, which is causing frustration and annoyance among the group.

• The new coworker constantly interrupts me during meetings and doesn't seem to understand my point of view. I feel like I can't even get my words in edgewise around her, and it's driving me crazy. She's really starting to get on my wick.

  "To get on someone's wick" is an informal idiom meaning to annoy, disrupt, or irritate someone. The phrase is thought to have originated from the 19th century, when gas lighting was in use. The wick of a gas lamp was a delicate substance that could easily be disturbed or damaged, causing the light to flicker or go out. This could be a major inconvenience for people relying on the lamp for light, much like how a persistent annoyance can be a major inconvenience for someone trying to focus on a task or situation. In this case, the coworker's constant interruptions and lack of understanding are starting to interfere with the speaker's ability to communicate effectively, causing frustration and irritation.

• The new co-worker, Elena, just won't stop talking during meetings. I feel like she's getting on my wick.

  "Getting on someone's wick" is an informal British and Australian English expression that means annoying or irritating someone. It originated in the late 19th century as a reference to the fragrance of a candle that could be irritatingly strong. In the context of the example, Elena's excessive talking is causing frustration and impatience in the speaker, similar to the strong scent of a wick that can provoke irritation.

• The constant noise from the construction site outside my apartment is really getting on my wick.

  In this example, "getting on my wick" is used to describe how the noise level outside the speaker's apartment is causing annoyance and irritation. It highlights the speaker's mounting frustration with the noise, which is reminiscent of the strong scent that can cause annoyance when it is overwhelmingly present.

• I'm afraid my patience is running out. My colleague keeps interrupting me during presentations, and I'm starting to get on my wick.

  In this context, "getting on my wick" signifies that the speaker's tolerance for their colleague's interruptive behavior is wearing thin. It implies that the speaker is becoming increasingly irritated and annoyed, much like the scent of a candle's wick can become increasingly intrusive as the fragrance intensifies.

Conclusion

The idiom "Wick - you get on my" is used to express annoyance or irritation towards someone and can also be used to intentionally provoke someone. It is a colloquial expression used in informal settings to convey frustration or to tease someone.

Origin of "Wick - you get on my"

The origin of the idiom "Wick - you get on my" is unclear, but it is likely derived from the idea of a wick being a source of irritation, such as the wick of a candle being difficult to light. The use of "get on my" in the idiom emphasizes the idea of something or someone causing annoyance or frustration. The expression may have evolved over time as a way to playfully express irritation or to provoke someone in a lighthearted manner. Its origins can be traced back to informal spoken language and may have emerged from everyday interactions and conversations. Examples of the idiom can be found in literature, popular culture, and everyday speech.