up their ass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "up their ass" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and vulgar.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express annoyance or frustration with someone's behavior or attitude, often implying that they are overly focused on something trivial. Example: "He’s so obsessed with his own opinions that he’s got his head up his ass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

And I'm going to shove it up their ass".

The New Yorker

They both come in squirts as I ram three-foot dildoes up their ass.

The Guardian - Books

His chief deputy, who was about to meet, he said, with seven lawyers from Justice, actually said to me, "I'm going to shove it up their ass".

The New Yorker

What surprises colleagues is that Ailes appears actually to disdain journalism; Ailes says that he detests what he thinks of as "élite" journalists with "a pick up their ass" who treat journalism as "a from-the-Mount profession".

The New Yorker

And a pair of brothers were stopped at a Plymouth, UK train station with £24,000 worth of heroin shoved up their ass.

Vice

Girls are a confusing mix of full-on beauty treated and Muslim parent-motivated modesty, with a subtle blend of the most insanely slutty eyebrows you'll ever see, and those little belt skirts that are supposed to cover up their ass and hips, but are basically invisible amongst all the black, gold-weaved fabric they insist on wearing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

They should stick it up their asses," he said.

The New Yorker

I thought, I'd rather shove it up their asses!" In an energetic gesture, he shows just how he would do this.

The New Yorker

depicting women with their legs spread or offering up their asses to the world than to have to bring more the same on stage?

Huffington Post

Stewart professed (not feigned, I think) ignorance, asking whether that was net neutrality, and excusing himself, what with their "heads being up their asses" in the election and all.

Huffington Post

People who think you can learn more from "literary fiction" than "genre fiction" don't fucking understand the history of literature and should saw off their heads and pack them up their asses.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "up their ass" sparingly and only in informal contexts. Be mindful of your audience and the potential for offense.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "up their ass" in professional or formal settings. Its vulgar nature can damage your credibility and offend your audience. Consider less offensive alternatives like "full of themselves" or "arrogant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up their ass" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, often used to express strong disapproval or contempt. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, albeit in informal contexts, as exemplified by various entries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up their ass" is a vulgar idiom used to express strong disapproval or contempt. While grammatically correct, as noted by Ludwig AI, it is highly informal and should be used with caution, primarily in casual settings. Alternatives like "full of themselves" or "arrogant" are more appropriate for formal contexts. Its frequency is notable in news and media, often within direct quotes, reflecting its prevalence in informal speech. Always consider your audience and the potential for offense before using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up their backside

A more polite, though still informal, synonym for "up their ass".

up their arse

A British English equivalent of "up their ass", maintaining the same level of vulgarity.

up their butt

A slightly milder, but still informal, synonym for "up their ass".

up their bum

Another British English synonym, similar in tone and meaning to "up their arse".

have a stick up their ass

This phrase suggests someone is uptight or overly formal.

full of themselves

Implies arrogance or excessive self-importance, a different angle of frustration.

in their own world

Suggests someone is detached from reality or others' perspectives.

with their head in the sand

Indicates someone is avoiding reality or difficult situations.

stuck-up

A more concise way of saying someone is arrogant or snobbish.

obnoxious

Describes someone as highly unpleasant or offensive.

FAQs

What does the idiom "up their ass" mean?

The idiom "up their ass" is a vulgar expression used to describe someone who is perceived as arrogant, self-absorbed, or overly focused on trivial matters. It suggests that the person's head is metaphorically stuck where it shouldn't be, indicating a lack of awareness or consideration for others.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "up their ass"?

The phrase "up their ass" is generally only appropriate in very informal settings with close friends or acquaintances who understand your sense of humor. Avoid using it in professional, formal, or public contexts, as it is considered vulgar and offensive.

What can I say instead of "up their ass" to express annoyance or frustration?

You can use alternatives like "full of themselves", "arrogant", "stuck-up", or "obnoxious" to express annoyance or frustration without using vulgar language. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "have a stick up their ass" and "up their ass"?

Yes, while both phrases express disapproval, "have a stick up their ass" suggests that someone is uptight, overly formal, or lacking a sense of humor. "Up their ass", on the other hand, generally implies that someone is arrogant, self-absorbed, or out of touch with reality.