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Behavior & Approach - Offensive Behavior

Explore English idioms that relate to offensive behavior, including "close to the bone" and "eat dirt".

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English idioms related to Behavior & Approach
to [eat] dirt
to eat dirt
[phrase]

to receive insults or bad treatment, especially without ever complaining

Ex: He had to eat dirt for years before anyone respected his work. 
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to [look] down {one's} nose at {sb/sth}

to consider a person or thing unimportant and undeserving of respect

Ex: She looked down her nose at anyone who did not go to a famous university. 
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near the knuckle

(of jokes or remarks) close to the limits of what people can tolerate or find acceptable, particularly if it is offensive or sexually suggestive

Ex: His joke was funny, but it was a bit near the knuckle for a family dinner. 
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to [air] {one's} lungs

to speak in a manner that is rude or sexually offensive

Ex: He started airing his lungs at the party, and several guests left early. 
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to [give] {sb} (some|any|) lip

to talk to a person in a way that is rude and shows no respect for them

Ex: Do not give me any lip when I ask you to clean your room. 
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close to home

resonating deeply with someone's personal experiences, feelings, or beliefs

Ex: The story about caring for a sick parent hit close to home for me. 
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to [hang] a BA
to hang a BA
[phrase]

to express contempt or disrespect to a person by showing one's naked backside to them

Ex: The drunk fan tried to hang a BA at the rival supporters and was removed by security. 
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to [give|flip] {sb} the finger

to raise one's middle finger and point it toward a person to show one is angry with them, hates, or disrespects them

Ex: The driver flipped me the finger after I honked at him. 
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to [have] (a|some) nerve

to have an attitude that is inappropriate, rude, or too bold

Ex: He has some nerve asking for a raise after missing half the deadlines. 
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to [take] {one's} name in vain

to talk about someone without giving them any respect

Ex: Don't take her name in vain; she helped you when no one else would. 
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close to the bone

(of a joke, story, remark, etc.) dealing with sensitive or controversial topics that can be uncomfortable or unsettling to hear

Ex: His joke about layoffs was close to the bone after the company had just fired twenty people. 
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no-go area

a very private or offensive subject that should not be discussed

Ex: His divorce is a no-go area, so don't bring it up at dinner. 
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to [give] {sb} the bird

to laugh or shout insults at someone

Ex: The crowd gave the referee the bird after the penalty call. 
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