up their butt

USAGE SUMMARY

"up their butt" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and may be considered vulgar in some contexts. You can use it in casual conversations or informal writing to express annoyance or frustration with someone's behavior. Example: "He was so focused on his own problems, it felt like he had his head up their butt." Alternative expressions include "in their own world" and "out of touch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If a new acquaintance peppers their speech with a curse word here and there, I get the sense that they're "real," they don't have a stick up their butt.

Huffington Post

A video shows Kate in a uniform closely resembling a Catholic nun's habit and condemning the Central Valley legislators with "their heads up their butt" who have reacted to Gov. Brown's regulations by prohibiting medical marijuana cultivation in their jurisdictions.

Independent

make it difficult, but really, who ever wants a camera up their butt?

Huffington Post

"I don't want anything to do with those boring, cranky adults that... got sticks up their butt," Deb said.

Huffington Post

You've got a better idea: Why use a thermometer when you can stick a boot up their butt?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At midnight, after dining and dancing, they packed up their dishes, stowed their empty Champagne bottles in trash bags brought for that purpose, stooped to pick up their cigarette butts from the cobbles and departed.

The New York Times - Food

Nothing could be done about the insects, but she told them to pick up their cigarette butts, and had a plastic bag put in the room to serve as a bin.

The Guardian

Teenagers pouring vodka up their butts?

The Guardian - Opinion

I know a lot of guys who are sitting there with their thumbs up their butts.

The New York Times

Purists and fans of "hard SF" and other people with sticks up their butts may howl that the stories in Old Mars are not "real science fiction".

The Guardian - Books

India is a country in which Nirvana-loving rich kids have their pretentious heads up their butts and the poor ones are too hungry to think straight, let alone start a band that expresses their condition.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "up their butt", be mindful of your audience and the context. It's generally best suited for informal settings or when expressing strong feelings of frustration.

Common error

Avoid using "up their butt" in formal writing or professional settings. Its informal and somewhat vulgar nature can be perceived as disrespectful or unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "up their butt" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically serving as a predicate adjective to describe a person's state of being or awareness. As Ludwig suggests, it expresses a negative sentiment about someone's perceived ignorance or lack of consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "up their butt" is an informal idiomatic expression used to convey annoyance or frustration. As Ludwig AI indicates, while grammatically correct, it should be used cautiously and primarily in informal settings. Its purpose is to express disapproval of someone's behavior or lack of awareness. While the phrase appears mostly in News & Media, it is essential to consider the context and audience to avoid causing offense. Consider using alternatives such as "in their own world" or "out of touch" in more formal environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

up their rear end

Replaces "butt" with a synonym, maintaining the informal and somewhat vulgar tone.

with their head up their ass

A more explicit version, emphasizing a lack of awareness or understanding.

in their own world

Shifts the focus to detachment from reality, less vulgar.

out of touch

Suggests a lack of understanding of current events or common experiences.

self-absorbed

Highlights a preoccupation with oneself, ignoring others.

stuck up

Implies arrogance and a sense of superiority.

inconsiderate

Focuses on a lack of regard for others' feelings or needs.

oblivious to

Emphasizes a lack of awareness of something specific.

disengaged from reality

Highlights the disconnection from the actual circumstances.

unresponsive

Points to a failure to react or acknowledge.

FAQs

What does the phrase "up their butt" mean?

The phrase "up their butt" is an informal and somewhat vulgar expression used to describe someone who is unaware, out of touch, or self-absorbed. It implies a lack of understanding or consideration for others.

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

The phrase "up their butt" is best reserved for informal settings, such as casual conversations with friends or family, where a degree of vulgarity is acceptable. Avoid using it in formal writing, professional environments, or when speaking to individuals you don't know well.

What are some alternative ways to say "up their butt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in their own world", "out of touch", or "self-absorbed".

Is it correct to say "up their ass" instead of "up their butt"?

Yes, "up their ass" is a very similar expression to "up their butt" and carries the same meaning. Both are informal and somewhat vulgar. The choice between the two depends on personal preference and the specific context.