get on my nerves

Meaning

This expression means to annoy, irritate, or frustrate someone, especially through repetitive or persistent actions. It is a casual phrase used to describe small, daily annoyances rather than deep anger. You can change the pronoun to match who is being annoyed (e.g., 'get on his nerves', 'get on their nerves').

Examples

• That constant tapping sound is really starting to get on my nerves.

  That constant tapping sound is really starting to get on my nerves.

• I love my brother, but sometimes he really gets on my nerves.

  I love my brother, but sometimes he really gets on my nerves.

• The way he interrupts everyone during meetings gets on my nerves.

  The way he interrupts everyone during meetings gets on my nerves.

• We had to turn off the TV because the loud commercials were getting on our nerves.

  We had to turn off the TV because the loud commercials were getting on our nerves.

• Does that high-pitched buzzing noise get on your nerves too?

  Does that high-pitched buzzing noise get on your nerves too?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ His loud chewing gets on my nerve.

  ✓ His loud chewing gets on my nerves.

  The word 'nerves' must always be plural in this idiom.

• ✗ The traffic is getting to my nerves.

  ✓ The traffic is getting on my nerves.

  The correct preposition is 'on,' not 'to.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please stop whistling; it's really starting to ___.

  💡 Use the base form with 'my'.

  Show answer

  get on my nerves

• Her constant complaining was beginning to ___.

  💡 Use the male possessive pronoun.

  Show answer

  get on his nerves