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Definition

To annoy or infuriate someone.

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Origins

Uncertain; it has been suggested that the term may be derived from French prendre la chèvre (literally “to take the goat”), or refer to the stealing of a goat mascot from a military unit, etc.

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In Context

  • "It really gets my goat when inconsiderate people drop litter in public."
  • "If he had legged it on his own account, because what he heard me say got his goat, I could understand that."
  • ""Unfortunately," said Soames, "there's no such thing as luck in properly regulated assurance, as we shall find, or I'm much mistaken. I shouldn't be surprised if an action lay against the Board for gross negligence!" That had got the Chairman's goat!—Got his goat? What expressions they used nowadays!"
  • "But there's one litte thing that gets my goat, / That certainly strikes a sour note. / It's that Southern Ship who has my place— / With her larger decks and her faster pace."
  • "It sure did get their goat; they turned without saying a word and walked off toward the highway, red-necked, us laughing behind them. I forget sometimes what laughter can do."
  • "Sometimes people are quite simply intent on riling us; on getting our goat. [...] If you don't want them to get your goat, don't let them know where it is."
  • "As Sandra Strain had seen it, as quickly as Natty had gotten her goat, she had slaughtered it by being apologetic. This was not what the girl had anticipated, nor wanted to hear."
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Also Said As

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Related Idioms

g

get on someone's nerves

To annoy or irritate someone; to bother someone.

 d

do someone's head in

To frustrate, infuriate, irritate or disturb someone.

 d

drive someone crazy

To annoy or irritate.

 g

get someone's dander up

To anger or annoy someone.

 r

raise someone's shag

To anger or annoy someone.

 r

rub someone the wrong way

To bother, disturb, irritate, or annoy.
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