Rub someone's nose in the dirt In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "rub someone's nose in the dirt", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Regina Tuyen Le calendar 2021-12-05 04:12

Meaning of Rub someone's nose in the dirt

Synonyms:

Rub Salt in the Wound , rub someone's nose in it , rub someone's nose in something

Rub someone's nose in the dirt informal verb phrase

To keep reminding someone of their failure or mistake.

I realize that we lost, so there's no need to rub my nose in the dirt.

They kept rubbing my nose in the dirt even though I was not the one who made that poor decision.

Other phrases about:

The pot calling the kettle black

Used to describe a situation in which people criticize and blame someone else for a fault, mistake or weakness that they also have themselves

Give Someone A Black Eye
Punish someone by damaging their dignity or reputation for what they have done without causing them permanent harm.
drag sb's name through the mire/mud

To say bad things about someone.

be brought down a notch (or two)

If one is brought down a notch (or two), they are reduced their pride or ego.

take (someone) down a peg (or two)

To humiliate someone, or show someone that they are not as important as they think.

Grammar and Usage of Rub someone's nose in the dirt

Verb Forms

  • rubs someone's nose in the dirt
  • rubbed someone's nose in the dirt
  • rubbing someone's nose in the dirt

The verb "rub" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of Rub someone's nose in the dirt

This phrase, which has been used since the mid-1900s, is based on the mistaken assumption that the best way to house train a puppy is to run their nose in their own feces or urine after they have pooped indoors.

The Origin Cited: Internet .
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to look like a drowned rat

To be very wet

Example:

Because of forgetting bringing an umbrella, I look like a drowned rat when it rains.

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