"Laying a bad trip on" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of intentionally causing emotional distress or mental discomfort to someone, often through deceptive or manipulative means. This phrase originated in counterculture and psychedelic drug subcultures during the 1960s and 1970s, where "trip" was a slang term for the hallucinogenic experience induced by consuming psychedelic substances.
The term "laying a bad trip on" typically involves deliberately subjecting someone to disturbing or negative thoughts, feelings, or experiences, with the intention of creating a distressing or unsettling effect. This can be accomplished through various means, including psychological manipulation, intimidation, or playing mind games.
The expression emphasizes the intentional aspect of this action, highlighting that the person initiating the distress is deliberately inflicting discomfort or anxiety on another individual. It typically connotes a sense of cruelty, malice, or sadism, as the intention is to negatively impact the recipient's emotional state or psychological well-being.
In a broader context, "laying a bad trip on" can also extend beyond the psychedelic subculture and refer to any situation where someone purposefully imposes emotional distress or psychological discomfort on another, regardless of drug-induced experiences. This could include behaviors such as bullying, gaslighting, or psychological manipulation.
