Rubbed up the wrong way

Posted by ESC on May 19, 2005

In Reply to: Rubbed up the wrong way posted by Gary Brown on May 19, 2005

: I would like to know the meaning of the phrases 'rubbing somebody up the wrong way', 'Bold as Brass' and 'Brassed Off'. Any help would be appreciated.

I always think of a cat...

RUBS THE WRONG WAY - Annoys. "It is what happens when one's hair is rubbed backward (it may feel good at first, but it can become annoying and uncomfortable) or when you rub a plane against the grain of wood. Charles Hamilton Aide offered the figurative meaning in 'Carr of Carriyon' : 'Don't rub her prejudices up the wrong way.if you can help it.'" The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Wings Books, Originally New York: Facts on File Publications, 1985).