Put your nose out of joint


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Put your nose out of joint'?

Hurt your feelings or upset your plans.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Put your nose out of joint'?

This phrase is quite old and was used by Barnaby Rich in His Farewell to Militarie Profession, 1581:

“It could bee no other then his owne manne, that has thrust his nose so farre out of ioynte.”

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.
Put your nose out of joint

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