get under someone’s skin
get under someone’s skin (idiom)
/ɡɛt ˈʌndɚ ˌsʌmwʌnz skɪn/
Meaning
- Annoy or irritate someone persistently.
- Affect someone deeply, especially emotionally.
- Become a strong personal interest or obsession for someone.
Example Sentences
- Her constant criticism really gets under my skin.
- That haunting melody has somehow gotten under my skin.
- The mystery of the case has truly gotten under his skin.
- You’re getting under my skin with that constant tapping on the table.
Synonyms: irritate; provoke; aggravate; obsess; fascinate.
Origin and History
The most widely accepted explanation comes from the literal discomfort of insects or parasites that burrow beneath the skin. Imagine the itching and burning from a mosquito bite or a tick — impossible to ignore and lingering even after the cause is gone. This tangible irritation parallels the figurative sense of someone’s words or actions lingering in your mind, provoking ongoing annoyance.
Deep Affection and Obsession: The Emotional Connection
By the 20th century, the phrase also gained a softer, more intimate meaning: someone or something deeply affecting you in a way you cannot shake off. This was popularized in part by Cole Porter’s 1936 song “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, where the expression suggests irresistible attraction and emotional entanglement. Here, the phrase moves beyond irritation to imply lasting personal significance — whether positive or negative.
Country of Origin
Evidence suggests the idiom developed in American English in the late 1800s, before spreading throughout the English-speaking world.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest confirmed print use appears in an American newspaper:
“It’s no use to get under my skin in that way.” — The Galveston Daily News (Texas), August 1896.
This supports its emergence as a common idiomatic phrase in the United States during that period.
Other Possible Theories
Some interpretations suggest it could derive from the metaphorical idea of something permeating one’s protective barrier, or a persistent thought “getting inside you.” While possible, these remain speculative and less supported than the insect irritation theory.
Variants
- got under someone’s skin
- gotten under someone’s skin
- get under your skin
- you’re getting under my skin
Similar Idioms
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Share your opinions3 Opinions
Hello, I am trying to find out when the phrase, “getting under one’s skin”, (meaning when someone gets on your nerves) first originated, what year? I have written an historical fiction novel which takes place in 1848 and I use this term to describe one main character’s feelings for the other one. Thank you!
Gail Wells
‒ Gail A. Wells December 4, 2021
The term comes from pealing eggs. If you don’t get under the skin the protective she’ll cannot be removed. This irratant bug bs is untrue.
‒ Phillip October 26, 2021
Origin – Scabies Mites burrowing under one’s skin
‒ T July 26, 2018