Rub someone the wrong way and rub someone up the wrong way

Rub someone the wrong way and rub someone up the wrong way are variations of the same idiom. We will examine the meaning of the idiom rub someone the wrong way or rub someone up the wrong way, where it came from, and some examples of its use in sentences.

To rub someone the wrong way or rub someone up the wrong way means to annoy someone or to irritate someone. In general, if someone rubs you the wrong way, you do not have strong feelings against that person, they are simply not your cup of tea. Rub someone the wrong way is the American version of the idiom, rub someone up the wrong way is the British version of the idiom. The expressions came into use in the mid-1800s, and is an allusion to the act of stroking a cat. If one strokes a cat with the fur, the cat is generally content. If one strokes a cat against the fur, one may end up with a scratch or two. Related phrases are rubs someone the wrong way, rubbed someone the wrong way, rubbing someone the wrong way, rubs someone up the wrong way, rubbed someone up the wrong way, rubbing someone up the wrong way.

Examples

“I grew up in a village full of Nazis and their grandchildren,” Shapira said. “I’m used to speaking out when things rub me the wrong way — and to getting beat up over it.” (The Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

I know it’s a small thing, but it’s really starting to rub me the wrong way. (The Mercury News)

The Portugal superstar was taken off moments after putting the Italian giants 2-1 ahead against Spurs and it appears to rub him up the wrong way. (The Daily Nigeria Post)

Neil also said that while Harry will be the ‘father figure’ in the group, he could also ‘snap’ if people rub him up the wrong way. (The Daily Mail)