Get Under Someone’s Skin: Master This Advanced English Expression 🐜

Advanced Level | September 25, 2025

Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

Have you ever met someone who annoyed you so much that you couldn’t stop thinking about them? In English, we have a perfect phrase for this: “get under someone’s skin.” At the advanced level, knowing how to use expressions like get under someone’s skin will make your English sound more natural and professional.

Today, let’s explore what it means, where it came from, how to use it, and why this expression shows up often in business and daily life.

What Does “Get Under Someone’s Skin” Mean?

The phrase means that something or someone is irritating you, bothering you, or staying on your mind in a negative way. For example: “The constant clicking of his pen really gets under my skin.” It’s not about physical touch—it’s about emotion and reaction.

Historically, this expression first appeared in the early 20th century, often used in American English. The imagery suggests something literally getting beneath your skin and causing irritation, like an itch or insect bite. Over time, people extended this idea to emotions, using it to describe anything or anyone that provokes a lasting, bothersome feeling.

Everyday Examples of “Get Under Someone’s Skin”

Imagine you’re in a meeting. One coworker keeps interrupting. Even if you stay polite, deep inside you might be thinking, “Wow, she’s really getting under my skin.” Or maybe it’s a noisy neighbor, a colleague who sends too many emails, or even a competitor’s behavior. These situations all fit this expression.

Why Professionals Should Learn the Expression “Get Under Someone’s Skin”

In professional life, you need to describe irritation without sounding rude. Instead of saying, “He makes me angry,” you can say, “He gets under my skin sometimes.” This phrasing is softer and more natural—it shows strong English skills while keeping your tone professional.

Positive Twist

Interestingly, the phrase can also be used positively, though less often. This positive twist became popular after Cole Porter’s 1936 song “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” where the meaning shifted toward deep passion or strong involvement. For example, if you say, “This project really got under my skin,” it means you feel deeply involved or passionate about it.

How to Practice Using “Get Under Someone’s Skin”

Try this simple exercise: Think of one thing that bothers you at work or home. Write one sentence using “get under my skin.” Then, think of one project or hobby you really care about, and write one positive version of the phrase.

Vocabulary List

Annoy (verb) — To make someone slightly angry.
Example: The loud construction noise annoyed everyone in the office.
Irritate (verb) — To bother or disturb.
Example: His constant interruptions irritated the whole team.
Expression (noun) — A word or phrase with a special meaning.
Example: “Break the ice” is a common English expression.
Polite (adjective) — Showing respect and good manners.
Example: She gave a polite smile even though she was tired.
Reaction (noun) — A response to something that happens.
Example: His reaction to the news was very calm.
Tone (noun) — The way you sound when speaking.
Example: Her tone was friendly and professional.
Passionate (adjective) — Showing strong feelings about something.
Example: He is passionate about teaching English.
Colleague (noun) — A person you work with.
Example: My colleague helped me prepare the presentation.
Competitor (noun) — Someone you compete against.
Example: Their main competitor launched a new product this year.
Involved (adjective) — Deeply connected or engaged with something.
Example: She felt very involved in the charity project.

5 Questions About the Article

What does the phrase “get under someone’s skin” mean?
Give one workplace example where this expression might be used.
Why is it useful to know the phrase get under someone’s skin in professional situations?
How can the phrase sometimes be used in a positive way?
What practice exercise is suggested in the article?

5 Open-Ended Discussion Questions

Who is someone that often gets under your skin, and why?
How do you usually handle situations when someone annoys you?
Can you think of a project that has “gotten under your skin” in a positive way?
Do you think it’s important to use softer expressions at work? Why or why not?
What other English expressions have you found useful for describing feelings?

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