How Do You Spell KNOCKS THE CHIP OFF SHOULDER?

Pronunciation: [nˈɒks ðə t͡ʃˈɪp ˈɒf ʃˈə͡ʊldə] (IPA)

The phrase "knocks the chip off shoulder" is a common idiom that means to provoke someone into anger. The pronunciation of "knocks" is /nɑks/ and phonetically spelled as K-N-O-C-K-S. The word "chip" has a /tʃ/ sound before it, and is spelled C-H-I-P. The word "off" is pronounced /ɔf/ with a short O sound and spelled O-F-F. Finally, "shoulder" is phonetically spelled as /ˈʃoʊldər/ and has a SH sound at the beginning, followed by an O sound and an L sound. Together, these words come together to make a complex and nuanced phrase that expresses a universal human experience - feeling disrespected and the need to defend oneself from perceived insults.

KNOCKS THE CHIP OFF SHOULDER Meaning and Definition

1. The idiom "knocks the chip off shoulder" refers to an action or remark that challenges or confronts someone's perceived attitude of arrogance, defiance, or superiority. This phrase metaphorically alludes to an imaginary chip that a person believes they have on their shoulder, symbolizing their readiness to engage in conflict or prove their dominance. When someone "knocks the chip off shoulder," they intentionally undermine an individual's self-assumed air of superiority or defiance, often by delivering a cutting remark, exposing a flaw, or confidently surpassing the person's expectations.

   This saying originates from a physical gesture where someone would physically knock a chip, or small piece of wood or other material, from another person's shoulder to provoke a fight or test their combativeness. Over time, it has transformed into a metaphor that describes a verbal challenge aimed at deflating someone's ego or challenging their self-importance.

   This idiom carries a sense of rebuke or confrontation, exposing the person's arrogance or presumption. It implies that the person needs to be humbled or brought back to reality, and the action or comment intended to "knock the chip off shoulder" usually aims to level the playing field or put the individual in their place. Ultimately, this idiom represents an act of destabilizing or confronting someone's inflated sense of self-importance through words or actions.

Common Misspellings for KNOCKS THE CHIP OFF SHOULDER

• jnocks the chip off shoulder
• mnocks the chip off shoulder
• lnocks the chip off shoulder
• onocks the chip off shoulder
• inocks the chip off shoulder
• kbocks the chip off shoulder
• kmocks the chip off shoulder
• kjocks the chip off shoulder
• khocks the chip off shoulder
• knicks the chip off shoulder
• knkcks the chip off shoulder
• knlcks the chip off shoulder
• knpcks the chip off shoulder
• kn0cks the chip off shoulder
• kn9cks the chip off shoulder
• knoxks the chip off shoulder
• knovks the chip off shoulder
• knofks the chip off shoulder
• knodks the chip off shoulder