have a chip on your shoulder
To feel angry or resentful about something
Littéralement: to have a small piece of wood resting on your shoulder
Use this for people who are grumpy or defensive because they feel the world has mistreated them.
En 15 secondes
- Feeling bitter or resentful about past unfair treatment.
- Being easily annoyed or looking for a conflict.
- Holding a grudge that affects your current behavior.
Signification
This phrase describes someone who is constantly angry or easily offended because they feel they have been treated unfairly in the past. It is like they are walking around looking for a reason to start a fight.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Discussing a competitive coworker
Ever since he was passed over for the promotion, Mark has had a real chip on his shoulder.
Ever since he didn't get the promotion, Mark has been very resentful and defensive.
Talking about a friend's bad attitude
Relax, I was just joking! You don't need to walk around with a chip on your shoulder all day.
Calm down, I was kidding! You don't need to be so defensive and angry.
Texting about a sports team
The underdog team is playing like they have a chip on their shoulder tonight.
The unfavored team is playing with a lot of aggressive energy to prove themselves.
Contexte culturel
The phrase originated in the United States during the 1800s as a literal challenge to fight. It reflects a frontier culture where honor was defended physically. Over time, it shifted from a physical dare to a psychological description of a person's defensive or bitter temperament.
The Sports Exception
Usually, this phrase is negative. However, in sports, it's a compliment! It means the athlete is focused and hungry for a win because they feel disrespected.
Don't confuse with 'Cold Shoulder'
A 'chip on your shoulder' means you are angry and looking for a fight. Giving someone the 'cold shoulder' means you are ignoring them entirely.
En 15 secondes
- Feeling bitter or resentful about past unfair treatment.
- Being easily annoyed or looking for a conflict.
- Holding a grudge that affects your current behavior.
What It Means
Imagine someone walking around with a tiny piece of wood on their shoulder. They are waiting for you to knock it off so they can start a fight. That is the essence of having a chip on your shoulder. It describes a person who carries deep-seated resentment. They feel the world owes them something. They are often defensive or grumpy without an obvious immediate cause. It is not just being mad once. It is a long-term attitude of bitterness.
How To Use It
You use this to describe a personality trait or a temporary mood. You can say someone has a chip on their shoulder. You can also say they are walking around with one. It usually follows the verb to have. Use it when someone reacts too strongly to a small comment. It implies their anger comes from an old grudge, not just you.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend is being unnecessarily defensive. It is perfect for describing a coworker who thinks everyone is out to get them. You might use it in a meeting if someone shoots down every idea. It works well when discussing someone's past struggles that still affect them today. Use it when you notice a pattern of bitter behavior. It is great for venting to a partner about a difficult boss.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for someone who is justifiably angry. If someone just got their car stolen, they do not have a chip on their shoulder. They are just having a bad day! Avoid using it in very formal HR reports. It can sound a bit judgmental or accusatory. Do not use it if someone is physically injured. They might literally have something on their shoulder! Keep it for psychological bitterness only.
Cultural Background
This idiom comes from 19th-century America. Boys would place a wood chip on their shoulder as a dare. They wanted someone to knock it off. If you knocked it off, you were agreeing to fight them. It was a literal invitation to a physical brawl. Today, the wood is gone, but the aggressive attitude remains. It is a classic piece of Americana that spread worldwide.
Common Variations
You will mostly hear the standard version. Sometimes people say someone is carrying a chip. You might hear a massive chip to emphasize extreme bitterness. In sports, commentators say a team has a chip on their shoulder if they were ranked low. This means they are playing with extra aggression to prove people wrong. It is one of the few times the phrase is seen as a positive thing!
Notes d'usage
This is an informal idiom used mostly in spoken English. It is perfect for describing someone's attitude behind their back, but be careful using it directly to someone as it can escalate an argument.
The Sports Exception
Usually, this phrase is negative. However, in sports, it's a compliment! It means the athlete is focused and hungry for a win because they feel disrespected.
Don't confuse with 'Cold Shoulder'
A 'chip on your shoulder' means you are angry and looking for a fight. Giving someone the 'cold shoulder' means you are ignoring them entirely.
The Literal Origin
In the 1800s, US dockyard workers actually put pieces of wood on their shoulders to dare others to fight. It was a very literal 'tough guy' move!
Exemples
6Ever since he was passed over for the promotion, Mark has had a real chip on his shoulder.
Ever since he didn't get the promotion, Mark has been very resentful and defensive.
Shows the cause of the resentment clearly.
Relax, I was just joking! You don't need to walk around with a chip on your shoulder all day.
Calm down, I was kidding! You don't need to be so defensive and angry.
Used to call out someone's overreaction in a casual setting.
The underdog team is playing like they have a chip on their shoulder tonight.
The unfavored team is playing with a lot of aggressive energy to prove themselves.
In sports, this often implies a positive, motivated kind of anger.
My cousin has a chip on his shoulder because he thinks Grandpa liked me more.
My cousin is bitter because he believes our grandfather had a favorite.
Describes long-term family jealousy.
That barista has such a chip on his shoulder, you'd think I asked for a unicorn instead of a latte.
That barista is so grumpy, it's like I made an impossible request.
Uses exaggeration for humor.
I used to have a chip on my shoulder about my upbringing, but I've moved past it.
I used to be bitter about how I grew up, but I'm okay now.
Self-reflective use of the idiom.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the idiom.
Stop being so defensive! It feels like you have a ___ on your shoulder.
The correct idiom is 'chip on your shoulder,' referring to a small piece of wood.
Identify the context where the phrase is used positively.
The team lost last year, so they entered the tournament with a ___ on their shoulder.
In sports, 'chip on their shoulder' means they are motivated by past failure to win now.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Chip on your shoulder'
Too specific for general slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends, family, and casual venting.
He's got a major chip on his shoulder.
Used in storytelling or general descriptions.
The character has a chip on his shoulder.
Usually replaced by 'resentful' or 'defensive'.
The employee appears to be harboring resentment.
When to spot a 'Chip on the Shoulder'
Sports Motivation
Proving the doubters wrong.
Office Politics
Being bitter about a missed promotion.
Social Interactions
Taking every joke as a personal insult.
Classroom
A student who thinks the teacher hates them.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot exactly. It implies they are angry or resentful rather than just sad. For example, He has a chip on his shoulder about his grades means he's mad at the teacher, not just disappointed.
Yes, but it usually implies the mood comes from a deeper, older issue. If someone is just grumpy because they missed breakfast, we wouldn't usually say they have a chip on their shoulder.
It can be quite confrontational. Saying You have a chip on your shoulder is basically telling someone they are being bitter and difficult to be around.
It refers to a small scrap of wood. In the past, knocking the wood off someone's shoulder was the signal to start a physical fight.
Absolutely. You can say The whole marketing department has a chip on their shoulder if they feel undervalued by the rest of the company.
In formal writing, you would use words like harboring resentment, defensive, or aggrieved. For example, The client was aggrieved by the delay.
Both are used, but chip on his/her/your shoulder is much more common. It personalizes the resentment to the individual.
Only in competitive contexts like sports or business. It suggests that the person's anger is giving them the energy to work harder and prove people wrong.
Sometimes, but usually it's the opposite. It often comes from a place of feeling inferior or treated poorly, which leads to acting tough or defensive.
It's a short 'i' sound, like ship or tip. Be careful not to say cheap, which has a long 'e' sound.
Expressions liées
To hold a grudge
To stay angry at someone for a long time over a past mistake.
To have an axe to grind
To have a strong personal opinion or a selfish reason for being involved in a dispute.
To give someone the cold shoulder
To intentionally ignore someone because you are upset with them.
To be thin-skinned
To be very sensitive to criticism or insults.
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