pet peeve
Definition
The meaning: A pet peeve is something specific that someone finds especially annoying, even if others might not find it a big deal.
La signification: L’expression anglaise pet peeve signifie une chose particulière qui agace fortement une personne, même si elle peut sembler insignifiante aux autres. Par exemple, pour certains, entendre quelqu’un mâcher bruyamment peut être un pet peeve.
Note: L’expression est courante et non vulgaire. Elle peut être utilisée dans des contextes informels comme semi-formels.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» Avoir une sainte horreur de
» Petite chose insupportable
» Source de frustration
A: Tu peux arrêter de taper avec ton stylo ?
B: Désolé, c’est ton pet peeve, hein ?
English synonyms
» Pet hate
» Pet niggle
» Bugbear
A: He always leaves the cap off the toothpaste!
B: Oh yeah, that’s my pet peeve.
Dialogue
Leah: "Why do you look so annoyed?"
Chris: "People who talk loudly on the phone in public—that’s my biggest pet peeve right there!"
Etymology
Origin: The term pet peeve combines pet (meaning "personal" or "favourite") with peeve, a word that emerged in the early 20th century from the older word "peevish", meaning irritable. The expression became popular in the U.S. in the 1910s.
Audience
The phrase "pet peeve" is widely used in both casual and semi-formal English. It is often heard in everyday conversation, blogs, and interviews.
When to use: Use it when you want to describe a personal irritation, often in a light-hearted way. For example: "One of my biggest pet peeves is people being late without warning."
Dictionary Meaning
The Free Dictionary says that it means "A typically minor issue that causes one frequent and recurring annoyance." Here's a provided example of use:
"It's always been my pet peeve when cars turn without using their signals. It drives me crazy!"
News Snippet
"The other new pet peeve of Cosatu is the e-tolls that have been erected around Johannesburg. In both cases, the federation argues that money is being taken out of the pockets of workers. Trying to set up a negotiation forum with government on the new toll gates has been made particularly difficult by transport minister Sbu Ndebele’s constant flip-flopping on the issue."
Read the full article at the Daily Maverick
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Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "Pet Peeve" and "Pet Niggle"
Grinds My Gears
To describe something that is extremely annoying or irritating, often used humorously.
Example: "People chewing loudly really grinds my gears."
Gets Under My Skin
To refer to something that bothers or irritates someone deeply.
Example: "Her constant complaining gets under my skin."
Drives Me Up the Wall
To describe something that causes intense frustration or annoyance.
Example: "When people don’t use turn signals, it drives me up the wall."
Gets on My Nerves
To indicate something that is persistently annoying or irritating.
Example: "His habit of interrupting gets on my nerves."
Rubs Me the Wrong Way
To describe something or someone that causes irritation or discomfort.
Example: "Her condescending tone really rubs me the wrong way."
Makes My Blood Boil
To refer to something that causes extreme anger or irritation.
Example: "Seeing people litter makes my blood boil."
Like Nails on a Chalkboard
To describe something that is intensely irritating or unpleasant, often evoking a physical reaction.
Example: "Her whining voice is like nails on a chalkboard."
Bugs Me
To indicate something that is mildly to moderately annoying.
Example: "It bugs me when people leave dishes in the sink."
Ticks Me Off
To describe something that causes anger or irritation, often used in American English.
Example: "It ticks me off when someone cuts in line."
Gets My Goat
To refer to something that annoys or irritates, often with a playful tone.
Example: "His constant tardiness really gets my goat."
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