have a chip on your shoulder

Meaning

To constantly feel angry, resentful, or defensive because you believe you have been treated unfairly or are not as good as others. People with this attitude often look for reasons to start an argument.

Examples

• Ever since he was passed over for the promotion, he's had a massive chip on his shoulder.

  Ever since he was passed over for the promotion, he's had a massive chip on his shoulder.

• She has a chip on her shoulder about not going to university, so she always tries to prove how smart she is.

  She has a chip on her shoulder about not going to university, so she always tries to prove how smart she is.

• Don't be so defensive; nobody is trying to attack you, you just have a chip on your shoulder.

  Don't be so defensive; nobody is trying to attack you, you just have a chip on your shoulder.

• He walks around with a chip on his shoulder, looking for any excuse to start an argument.

  He walks around with a chip on his shoulder, looking for any excuse to start an argument.

• It's hard to work with someone who has such a chip on their shoulder about their career background.

  It's hard to work with someone who has such a chip on their shoulder about their career background.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He has a chip in his shoulder.

  ✓ He has a chip on his shoulder.

  The correct preposition is 'on', not 'in'. Picture a physical wood chip resting on top of the shoulder.

• ✗ She has chip on her shoulder.

  ✓ She has a chip on her shoulder.

  You must include the indefinite article 'a' before the word 'chip'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Why are you so angry? You seem to ___ today.

  💡 To behave in a defensive or resentful manner.

  Show answer

  have a chip on your shoulder

• Ever since she lost the competition, she has had a ___.

  💡 A persistent feeling of resentment or bitterness.

  Show answer

  chip on her shoulder