Rub the wrong way.
[Idiom] RUB THE WRONG WAY. - Master Effective Communication Skills!
To annoy or irritate.
Rub the wrong way" means to irritate or annoy someone, usually through actions or words that conflict with their preferences or sensibilities. It originates from the American colonial practice of asking servants to rub wood floors in a certain direction; if done oppositely, it would damage the wood and annoy the homeowner. This idiom is useful in describing interpersonal issues that stem from misunderstanding or differing habits.
Example Sentences
He always manages to rub people the wrong way.
He always manages to irritate people.
His comments really rubbed me the wrong way.
His comments annoyed me.
Even though he meant well, his bluntness often rubbed people the wrong way at meetings.
Despite his good intentions, his bluntness often annoyed people in meetings.
