A fight would ensue if a wood chip was knocked off the challenger's shoulder.
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If someone “has a chip on his shoulder” it means that he has a resentful and belligerent attitude about something from the past. It can also means that this person is easily provoked and blames other people for his problems.
This idiom goes back to a custom in America during the early 1800s. If someone wanted to provoke a fight, he would place a wooden chip on his shoulder and dare the other person to knock it off his shoulder. If the other person knocked it off, a fight would ensue.
This custom no longer exists, but the term persists. If someone carries a grudge we say “he has a chip on his shoulder“. It is best to walk on egg shells around such a person!
Example: “Todd is always very touchy. Watch out what you say because he always seems to have a chip on his shoulder.”
“Frank explodes at the slightest criticism. He really has a chip on his shoulder! ”
Now you have a go at it! If you try your own sentence, I’ll try to get back with you with any feedback. If you know a way to say “he has a chip on his shoulder” in Chinese, please feel free to share that with us.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Ben is often furious at some trivial matters. He always seems to have a chip on his shoulder. It’s small wonder he doesn’t have many friends.
Excellent usage!
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Don’t quarrel with him,he has a chip on his shoulder.
but a chinese always says:Don’t qualrrel with him,he has swallowed so many bullets.
If someone always has a chip on his shoulder,as a lady ,you should not marry a man like this,its too danger to live with the guy.