get on someone's nerves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get on someone's nerves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe when someone is irritating you or causing you frustration. Example: Even though he means well, my brother's constant questions about my life can really get on my nerves.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although Surat and Tool were not opposed to the English dubbing, they felt that Isaac's accent sounded weird and "might get on someone's nerves".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The most interesting suggestions were those where the meaning of the word was pleasant, or at least neutral, but the sound still got on someone's nerves: "kudos", "bap", "boobs", "feisty", "veggie", "kooky", "pasty", "pamphlet", "spouse'" and - ironically - "poet".

The Guardian - Books

There's no way to spend time at a very busy place without getting on someone's nerves.

Vice

Ebat (to fuck) is one of the most commonly used curse words and can mean everything from literal sexual intercourse, to getting on someone's nerves (ebat' mozgi, literally, to screw someone's brain).

Vice

A provocateur is someone who goes too far just to get on people's nerves..

The Guardian - Books

I think I get on John's nerves a bit.

Independent

Oftentimes, however, they just get on everyone's nerves.

Vice

But Jimmy Jr. always used to get on Terry Jr.'s nerves.

Vice

There is Spooner (Dan Patrick Brady), the abrasive bully, because without someone to get on other people's nerves, you wouldn't have much of a story.

The New York Times

But we get on each other's nerves.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Do they get on each other's nerves?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get on someone's nerves" to describe situations where someone or something is causing irritation or annoyance. Be mindful of the context and audience, as it is an informal expression.

Common error

Avoid using "get on someone's nerves" when describing serious anger or rage. This phrase is best suited for minor annoyances, not intense emotional reactions. Use stronger vocabulary for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "get on someone's nerves" functions as a verb phrase expressing the act of irritating or annoying someone. Ludwig provides examples showing it in various contexts, confirming its role in describing causes of annoyance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get on someone's nerves" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express annoyance or irritation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable in informal contexts. While highly frequent in news, media, and general conversation, it's less suitable for formal or academic writing, where alternatives like irritate or annoy might be more appropriate. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality when deciding whether to use this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irritate someone

A more direct way of saying someone is causing annoyance.

annoy someone

A common and simple way to express causing someone minor frustration.

bother someone

Suggests a mild form of disturbance or irritation.

aggravate someone

Implies a more intense level of annoyance than simply irritating.

vex someone

A slightly more formal way of saying someone is causing distress or annoyance.

pester someone

Suggests persistent and repeated annoyance.

drive someone up the wall

An idiomatic expression indicating extreme frustration or annoyance.

rub someone the wrong way

Indicates causing someone to feel irritated or offended, often unintentionally.

be a thorn in someone's side

Suggests persistent and troublesome annoyance.

make someone's blood boil

Implies extreme anger or frustration.

FAQs

How can I use "get on someone's nerves" in a sentence?

You can use "get on someone's nerves" to describe something that is irritating or annoying someone. For example: "His constant humming really "gets on my nerves"."

What's a less informal alternative to "get on someone's nerves"?

If you're looking for a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "irritate someone" or "annoy someone". These options are suitable for professional settings.

What's the difference between "get on someone's nerves" and "drive someone crazy"?

"Get on someone's nerves" implies a mild irritation, while "drive someone crazy" suggests a more intense level of frustration or annoyance. They are similar, but the latter indicates a stronger emotional reaction.

Is it appropriate to use "get on someone's nerves" in formal writing?

No, "get on someone's nerves" is considered an informal expression and is generally not appropriate for formal writing. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "irritate" or "annoy".