You know where you can stick it

Ret's Word of the Day
A cartoon-style illustration of a confused person holding an object, such as a pen or umbrella, looking for a place to 'stick it,' while another person nearby smirks knowingly, understanding the hidden meaning

/juː noʊ wɛr juː kæn stɪk ɪt/

[ yoo noh wair yoo kan stik it ]
🔊 Hear it on YouGlish

Definition

Meaning: You know where you can stick it is an expression used to indicate strong disapproval or rejection of something, often implying that the speaker has no interest in complying with a request or suggestion.

Signification: Une expression utilisée pour indiquer un fort désaccord ou un rejet de quelque chose, souvent sous-entendant que le locuteur n'a aucun intérêt à se conformer à une demande ou à une suggestion.

Note: This phrase is often used in a confrontational or sarcastic manner, emphasizing the speaker's unwillingness to tolerate a situation or demand. It conveys a sense of defiance and assertiveness.

Word Analysis

French synonyms
» Va te faire voir
» Je sais où tu peux te le mettre
» Casse-toi
» Fous le camp
» Allez vous faire voir

[Il lui a dit va te faire voir après la dispute.]
    
English synonyms
» Get lost
» Take a hike
» Shove it
» Stick it where the sun doesn't shine
» Buzz off

[He told her to shove it when she complained.]
    

Example Dialogue

Thabo: "They want me to work overtime again this weekend."  
Palesa: "Ugh, you should tell them where to stick it."  
Thabo: "Yeah, I've had enough of their last-minute demands."  
Palesa: "Exactly! You’re not their puppet."  
    

Etymology

Origin: The phrase "you know where you can stick it" is a euphemistic way of telling someone to shove something into an unpleasant place, often implying their backside. It emerged in the early 20th century as a blunt and dismissive retort, commonly used to reject an unreasonable demand or suggestion. The phrase is typically spoken in frustration, defiance, or sarcasm.

Audience

The phrase "you know where you can stick it" is informal and often used in heated conversations, making it unsuitable for professional or polite settings. It is generally employed in response to unwanted orders, suggestions, or insults.

When to use: Use "you know where you can stick it" when you want to strongly reject an idea or command in a blunt or sarcastic way. For example: "They want me to work unpaid overtime again? Well, they know where they can stick it."

Dictionary Meaning

The Free Dictionary defines it this way: 'An expression of frustration or anger, usually said when one doesn't want to do or accept something. The phrase encourages the person in question to stick something up their buttocks.'

The example is: 'If she assigns me one more project, I'm going to tell her where to stick it!'

News Snippet

"Kid Frost, along with Lighter Shade of Brown and Cypress Hill, was one of the few Latino rappers trying to make their voices heard within this environment and "I Got Pulled Over," features Frost, MC Eiht and ALT telling their tales of police harassment. Here's Frost's key line: "Yo, go ahead and write your ticket/but hey yo, Mr. Officer, you know where you can stick it/I say this to myself, I let him do his thing/or he might beat me down just like he beat down Rodney King."

Read the full article at PBS SoCal

Extra! Extra!

For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day,cwatch the following…

Video Lesson One

Video Lesson Two

WordReference

When exploring the nuances of words, sometimes dictionaries don't provide enough context. The WordReference Forums offer insightful discussions that delve into the subtleties of language, including idiomatic expressions, usage nuances, and translations across languages.

Here are some quick links to help you navigate WordReference for deeper understanding:

» Read about today's word of the day.
» English⇄English–Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French–Explore translations and linguistic nuances
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms–Contextual variations, etc.

Common Idioms and Expressions

You know where you can stick it: A blunt way to reject sth, implying it should be placed somewhere unpleasant, often the backside.

Example: "They expect me to work another weekend? Well, they know where they can stick it."



Stick it where the sun doesn’t shine: A harsher variation of telling someone to shove sth in an undesirable place.

Example: "If he keeps pushing that stupid idea, I'll tell him to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine."



Shove it: A short and direct way to dismiss sth rudely.

Example: "If they think I’m doing their work for them, they can shove it!"



Take that and shove it: A more forceful way of rejecting sth, often used in anger.

Example: "When they cut his bonus, he quit on the spot, saying, 'Take that and shove it!'"



Put that where the sun don’t shine: A variation of "stick it where the sun doesn’t shine," used to rudely dismiss someone’s demand or suggestion.

Example: "They told me to apologise, but I told them to put that where the sun don’t shine."



Ram it: A blunt, sometimes humorous way to tell sb to shove sth.

Example: "If they don’t like my decision, they can ram it!"



Stuff it: A less vulgar, but still dismissive way of rejecting sth.

Example: "They want me to stay late again? They can stuff it!"



Stick it up your arse: A very vulgar version of dismissing and rejecting sth. Use with caution.

Example: "Take your job and stick it up your arse!"


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