Chip on One's Shoulder
Significado: Harboring a grudge or feeling of resentment
Having a 'chip on your shoulder' means carrying around persistent resentment or grievance, often stemming from past mistreatment or perceived inferiority. The person is defensive, quick to take offense, and seems to be looking for fights.
Significado literal: Carrying a wood chip on your shoulder daring someone to knock it off
Ejemplos
- He's got a chip on his shoulder about not going to university. 他对没能上大学一直耿耿于怀Tiene un resentimiento por no haber ido a la universidad彼は大学に行けなかったことを根に持っている그는 대학에 가지 못한 것에 대해 앙심을 품고 있다.
- She walks around with a chip on her shoulder, always expecting criticism. 她总是一副愤愤不平的样子，时刻准备着接受批评Va por ahí con un agravio a cuestas, siempre esperando críticas彼女はいつも批判されることを予期して、被害者意識を持って歩き回っている그녀는 항상 비판받을 것을 예상하며 피해의식을 안고 다닌다.
- Don't come in with a chip on your shoulder—give them a chance. 别带着怨气进去——给他们一个机会No entres con esa actitud resentida, dales una oportunidad最初から喧嘩腰で来るなよ——相手にチャンスを与えろ처음부터 시비 걸 듯이 오지 마—상대에게 기회를 줘.
- He's had a chip on his shoulder since they passed him over for promotion.自从被跳过升职后，他一直心怀不满Tiene un resentimiento desde que le pasaron por encima para el ascenso昇進を見送られて以来、彼は恨みを抱えている승진에서 밀린 이후로 그는 계속 앙심을 품고 있다.
Pronunciación
/tʃɪp ɒn wʌnz ˈʃəʊldər/
Guía de uso
Contexto: resentment, defensiveness, grievances
Tono: critical, observational
✓ Correcto
- He's got a chip on his shoulder.他总是怀恨在心Tiene un resentimiento彼はいつも不満を抱えている그는 앙심을 품고 있다.
- Don't walk in with a chip on your shoulder.别带着怨气进来No entres con resentimiento不満を抱えて入ってくるなよ처음부터 시비 걸 듯이 오지 마.
- She's had that chip on her shoulder for years.她心里这口气已经窝了好几年了Lleva años con ese resentimiento彼女は何年もその恨みを抱えている그녀는 몇 년째 그 피해의식을 안고 다닌다.
✗ Incorrecto
- Implied criticism—use carefully隐含批评——谨慎使用Crítica implícita; usar con cuidado暗に批判——慎重に使うこと암묵적인 비판이 담겨 있으므로 조심해서 사용하세요
- The person probably won't appreciate being told this当事人可能不会喜欢被这样说La persona probablemente no apreciará que se lo digan本人に言われても喜ばないだろう당사자는 이런 말을 듣고 좋아하지 않을 것입니다
Errores comunes
- It's 'chip ON the shoulder' not 'chip IN the shoulder'
- Can also be used positively: 'use that chip to motivate you'
Origen e historia
This phrase originated in 19th-century America, where placing a wood chip on your shoulder and daring someone to knock it off was an invitation to fight. The practice was documented in the Long Island Telegraph in 1830: 'When two churlish boys were determined to fight, a chip would be placed on the shoulder of one, and the other demanded to knock it off at his peril.'
Etimología: From American practice of placing a chip on the shoulder as a fighting challenge
Primera vez registrado: 1830, American English
Contexto cultural
Era: 1830s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Common in sports psychology; Used to describe athletes playing with something to prove
Regional notes: American origin but now universal. Sometimes used positively in sports context.
Historia y curiosidades
The original practice was literal: boys would place actual wood chips on their shoulders and dare rivals to knock them off. If you did, a fight would begin. The chip gave the bearer an excuse to start fighting—which is exactly what we mean today by someone with a 'chip on their shoulder': they're looking for a reason to feel aggrieved.
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