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Wind someone up

Wind someone up

Meaning

Deliberately draw attention to something with the intention of causing trouble.

Examples

There was no need to point out that the girl who dumped him was in the next room. That was only going to wind him up.

Where did it originate?

Britain, 20th century.

Where is it used?

Mostly Britain.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Wind someone up

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