THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
A chip on your shoulder
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
A resentful or defensive attitude caused by feeling unfairly treated.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- After being overlooked twice, he arrived with a chip on his shoulder about promotions.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
A resentful or defensive attitude caused by feeling unfairly treated.
Show the answer
A chip on your shoulder — A resentful or defensive attitude caused by feeling unfairly treated.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “A chip on your shoulder” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
A resentful or defensive attitude caused by feeling unfairly treated.
Compare: After being overlooked twice, he arrived with a chip on his shoulder about promotions.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
Jump to a section
When to use it
Use it to describe lasting resentment that affects how someone responds to others. It is critical and can sound insulting if said directly to the person.
More examples in context
- She felt that her colleague had a chip on his shoulder whenever the old selection process was mentioned.
- I tried not to let my disappointment turn into a chip on my shoulder.
Usage note
Change your to match the person: my, his or her. The idiom describes an attitude, not simply a single moment of anger.
A short conversation
A: Why does Alex react defensively whenever we discuss the new roles?
B: He may still have a chip on his shoulder about last year’s decision.
A: We should listen to his concern rather than label him.
One more practice question
Which behaviour best fits having a chip on your shoulder?
A. Remaining resentful about past treatment and repeatedly reacting defensively.
B. Feeling briefly surprised and then moving on without resentment.
Check your answer
A. The continuing resentment and defensive attitude are central to the expression.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.