idiom · neutral
have a chip on one's shoulder
UK/həv ə tʃɪp ɒn wʌnz ˈʃəʊldə(r)/US/hæv ə tʃɪp ɑn wʌnz ˈʃoʊldər/have a CHIP on one's SHOUL·DER
to be resentful or combative because you feel you have been treated unfairly
Examples
“He seems to have a chip on his shoulder about not getting promoted.”
“After being bullied at school, she developed a chip on her shoulder.”
“Don't take his comments personally; he probably has a chip on his shoulder.”
Band 8 sentence
“He seems to have a chip on his shoulder ever since he was passed over for the promotion.”
Collocations
- have/hold a chip on one's shoulder
Word family
Common mistakes
have chip on shoulder→have a chip on one's shoulder
have a chip on his shouldered→have a chip on his shoulder
Say it for a higher band
5be angry→6feel resentful→7+have a chip on one's shoulder
Synonyms
feel resentful
Easily confused
be resentful
“She felt resentful about the extra work.”
Related words
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In Emotions
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