"Gets one goat" is an idiom that means to irritate or annoy someone. The spelling of "goat" is straightforward, but the pronunciation of "gets" can vary depending on the speaker's dialect. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet, the pronunciation can be transcribed as /ɡɛts/ or /ɡɪts/. The first transcription uses the "eh" vowel sound, while the second uses the "ih" sound. Regardless of the pronunciation, the meaning of the phrase remains the same.
To say that something "gets one's goat" means that it annoys or frustrates them greatly. This expression refers to a situation or action that gets under someone's skin, causing them to become irritated or upset. The phrase originated from horse racing, as some horses had a companion goat that would help keep them calm. If someone wanted to agitate or distract a horse, they would remove the goat, causing the horse to become restless and perform poorly. This connection between goats and agitation led to the phrase being used metaphorically to describe things that irritate or bother a person.
When something "gets one's goat," it typically refers to a specific incident, behavior, or circumstance that affects an individual profoundly. This expression can be used in various contexts, such as describing a bothersome situation at work, an irritating habit of a friend or family member, or an ongoing frustration in daily life. What exactly "gets one's goat" will vary from person to person as everyone has individual triggers or pet peeves that elicit annoyance.
The phrase is often used colloquially or informally, and it highlights the emotional reaction that the person experiences. It implies that the individual's patience, tolerance, or peace of mind has been disturbed by the particular situation or action. Therefore, when someone says that something "gets their goat," it conveys a sense of annoyance, aggravation, or even anger towards the specific issue or behavior.