by F Dubya on January 19th, 2005

F Dubya

Question

Help answer this question below.

What does the phrase "having a chip on your shoulder" mean?

  • Like
  • Report

Answers. 18 helpful answers below.

  • by megcham on May 11th, 2011

    megcham

    It means that person is looking for a fight, it doesn't matter the reason. If you don't want your chip knocked over you don't carry it on your shoulder, but that's exactly what they want, thus the precarious location of said chip.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Aprettyappendage on May 11th, 2011

    Aprettyappendage

    It means find another friend, cause that one's going to be high maintenance!

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Once here now gone... now back? on May 11th, 2011

    Once here now gone... now  back?

    Messy eater got chips on their clothing and are too lazy to brush them off.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Marky Mark on May 11th, 2011

    Marky Mark

    Someone with "issues".

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Little Prince on May 12th, 2011

    Little Prince

    It means that I will need to be patient because something has happened to that person that they're unable to forgive, for whatever reason.

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Ryder on May 12th, 2011

    Ryder

    well when they say it here in SA it means he has n rank in something like military or navy or pilot license in afrikaans you call it a skyfie

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by RosieGHM Jetpacker on May 12th, 2011

    RosieGHM Jetpacker

    They're loaded for bear and ready to fight the world and anyone who has the misfortune to come near them. So I don't. I stay far away from the chippies! :)

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Zack on May 11th, 2011

    Zack

    Someone who is always angry, but that will no longer be the case when someone angrier comes and knocks that chip off.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Marisa on May 11th, 2011

    Marisa

    It means they're holding a grudge and need to let it go.

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by Brenna_W on May 11th, 2011

    Brenna_W

    It means you're spoiling for a fight. I think it came from the practice of someone carrying a log on his shoulder and daring someone else to knock it off. ("chips" was a term used for timber)

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Barcaluv on October 31st, 2008

    Barcaluv

    For me, It generally means that a person is overly sensitive about certain things or has a strong grievance against someone or something.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by chalagris on May 12th, 2011

    chalagris

    It could be a couple of things. It may be an arrogant attitude that can't be concealed, or it might be an emotional problem that's on display.Either way it's a dangerous situation for the wearer of the chip because too many people like to remove them.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Izzie on May 11th, 2011

    Izzie

    that they hold a grudge towards someone or something

    • Like
    • Report

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by drweet on May 11th, 2011

    drweet

    I generally feel bad for them.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Sodapop on October 31st, 2008

    Sodapop

    to me it means the person is bitter about something.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by LuckyLefty on October 31st, 2008

    LuckyLefty

    To have something to prove...

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on January 10th, 2008

    Anonymous

    The phrase, "chip on your shoulder" means that there is something on your mind that you cannot stop thinking about, sort of like an obsession. Some people, like for example during relationships, have a "chip on the shoulder" that they cannot date anybody, or anybody that might look like/act like the person that they have dated before.
    Usually having a "chip on the shoulder" is not a good thing!

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on January 20th, 2005

    Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony

    It means to bear a grudge about something. Apparently this phrase was most common in the U.S. and Canada. The way I understand it, a person literally placed a chip of wood on their shoulder as an invitation to fight. Whomever knocked it off was agreeing to fight.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading What does the phrase "having a chip on your shoulder" mean? - which can also be phrased in the following ways:

  • What does it mean to “have a chip on one’s shoulder?”
  • What does it mean to you when you hear that someone "carries a chip on their shoulder?"

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

What does it mean to have a chip on your shoulder
What does chip on your shoulder mean
What does chip on the shoulder mean
Having a chip on your shoulder
Chip on your shoulder means
A chip on your shoulder
What is having a chip on your shoulder mean
What does Chip on your shoulder mean
What does the expression holding a grudge mean
What does you have a chip on your shoulder mean