What does the idiom "chip on your shoulder" mean?
What does the metaphor "chip on your shoulder" mean?
Meaning
This metaphor is used when commenting on somebody's negative or entitled opinions. It is a way of saying that the person has an unpleasant attitude towards something, because they believe that they have been treated unfairly or have been treated this way before.
Example
"You have a chip on your shoulder for believing that she does not like you. She always looks angry, not just when she is talking to you."
"Amy enjoyed the Christmas party, but still had a chip on her shoulder for not being invited to last year's party."
"My younger sister has a chip on her shoulder for having to wear my hand-me-downs."
In summary:
The idiom "chip on your shoulder" can be used when describing someone who has a negative attitude towards something, because they believe they have been treated unfairly.
Chip on (someone's) shoulder. = Behaving in a certain way because of something that happened in the past. (negative meaning)
Chip on (someone's) shoulder. Is a negative idiom, which means it is not used in a good way.
And it is informal, which means it shouldn't be used in a formal setting.
It means that the person is either annoyed/ angry or frustrated by something.
You can imagine it as someone has something that is annoying them on their shoulder. Causing them to behave in this manner.
Examples:
"He's got a chip on his shoulder because he wasn't promoted" (He's angry or annoyed)
"Have you got a chip on your shoulder about something?" (Has something happened in the past to make you behave this way (anger))
"I'm sorry I seem angry tonight. I suppose I have a small chip on my shoulder because she didn't call me back" (I'm annoyed because the girl didn't call me back)
(You can say small/big chip on one's shoulder indicating the severity of the feeling)
Usage:
This idiom can be used to informally describe someone who has been annoyed by something in the past.
"Chip on your shoulder" is used to express when a person has a bad attitude toward others due to being treated poorly or unfairly. This idiom is not a compliment when used.
"You've had a chip on your shoulder ever since you didn't get that promotion."
"a chip on your shoulder" means your ego that lead you to be one-sided or unfair.
"chip on your shoulder" mean
You have "a chip on your shoulder" mean you let your ego control your attitude and thought.
Don't have "a chip on your shoulder"
Example: you got "a chip on your shoulder" when you think Snape hated Harry Potter. He just want Harry to work hard and find a way to protect Harry.
"chip on your shoulder" can lead to assumption or prejudice
So we shouldn't put "a chip on our shoulder"
Summary:
To have a "chip on your shoulder" means to have an insecurity about something which usually stems from a negative past experience or characteristic that some has. People become sensitive when similar situations arise or when they think someone is noticing the specific insecurity that troubles them.
Connotation
Negative
"One of Robert's exes dumped him because she said he was too short. Now he has a chip on his shoulder"
.
End remarks
Basically, this is a saying used to say that someone has an insecurity
A chip on your shoulder refers to someone with an angry or unpleasant attitude who feels that they are treated unfairly.
What does it mean to have a chip on your shoulder?
The saying originated during the 19th century in the United States, where people wanting a physical fight would carry a chip of wood on their shoulder, daring others to knock it off. For instance, a confrontational young man would place a chip on his shoulder and dare another to knock it off. If the challenged man knocked the chip off the shoulder, a fight would commence. Today, the term chip on your shoulder has come to describe an aggressive person carrying a grievance.
Some examples:
He is always picking up fights with everyone. He seems to have a chip on his shoulder.
Ever since one of his coworkers ate his lunch out of the fridge, Daniel has had a chip on his shoulder
To conclude:
When people say that someone has a chip on their shoulder, they associate that person as someone who seem to be angry all the time due to being treated unfairly or thinking that they are not as good as other people.
What does "chip on your shoulder" mean?
This is an advanced level English expression or phrase meaning to seem angry all the time because you think you have been treated unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people.
For example, "He's got a chip on his shoulder about not having been to university"
Wha does chip on your shoulder mean?
"Chip on your shoulder" is to have an aggressive attitude fueled by a feeling of resentment and a sense of inferiority.
Example: He has a chip on his shoulder for having been brought up in a poor neighborhood.
What does chip on your shoulder mean?
a chip on your shoulder or a chip on (one's) shoulder
This phrase is an idiom that can mean
1)An attitude that leads one to become combative or easily angered.
Another meaning:
2) You are talking about a person who seems to think that they are better than others or that the world owes them something. This could also talk about someone who is holding a grudge
Some Examples:
An attitude that leads to combative behavior or anger easily.
Fred has such a chip on his shoulder—you never know what's going to set him off next.
How you may use this phrase in a conversation.
Conversation 1:
Person 1: “Can I give you some advice?”
Person 2: “If you must.”
Person 1: “You have got a massive chip on your shoulder and it’s making you seem so arrogant.”
Conversation 2:
Person 1: “I saw Emily the other day, she was being so obnoxious.”
Person 2: “Yeah, shes got such a chip on her shoulder these days.”
Person 1: “I think it’s because of her falling out with Ann, she thinks that she is so entitled now.”
Reference
To seem angry all the time because you think you have been treated unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people.
An example would be:
He's got a chip on his shoulder about not having been to university.
"Chip on your shoulder" means to have an angry or unpleasant attitude or way of behaving caused by a belief that one has been treated unfairly in the past.
How do you use it in a sentence?
He had a chip on his shoulder when he found out that his friends were teasing him.