Learn how to use the phrase "get under someone’s skin".
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Episode Script:

“My boss really knows how to get under my skin.”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “get under my skin” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“To get under someone’s skin” is an idiom, which means that we don’t understand it literally. “To get under someone’s skin” does NOT mean to poke a hole in someone. “To get under someone’s skin” does NOT have anything to do with being under someone or something.

“To get under someone’s skin” DOES mean to irritate or bother someone by your behavior or comments.

This idiom comes from the feeling of having something, like a small insect or a splinter, that gets under your skin. It may not be very painful, but it is very annoying and difficult to get rid of. Sometimes people can be the same way. By the way they act or speak, you become annoyed by them but don’t know how to get rid of them.

Today, as an idiom, the phrase is used for anytime someone is being irritating. The person is “getting under your skin” by their behavior. They are bothering you and your desire is to leave their presence to be relieved from the irritation.

Here are a few examples:

• She really knows how to get under my skin with her nagging.
• What really gets under my skin is when people push straight to the front of the line.
• He is trying to distract you. Don’t let him get under your skin.
• Paul really got under my skin when he started criticizing my family.

Now it is time to take a quiz. Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. This spider is crawling on me and trying to get under my skin.
2. Don’t pay attention to Larry. He is jealous and is just trying to get under your skin.
3. Steven is always talking about how much money he has. He really gets under my skin.
4. I love kids, but sometimes they whine a lot and that gets over my skin.

What do you think?
The correct sentences are numbers 2 and 3.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the DayDid you hear about the kidnapping at the school?
It’s OK. The kid woke up.

Thanks for listening!

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