A chip on your shoulder
의미: A persistent attitude of resentment or defiance, often stemming from a perceived injustice.
Describes someone who is easily offended, argumentative, or always looking for a fight because they feel wronged or disrespected. Having a chip on your shoulder means carrying a grudge or insecurity that makes you combative. It can be motivating (proving doubters wrong) or destructive (alienating people).
예문
- He's had a chip on his shoulder ever since he got passed over for promotion. 自从被跳过升职之后,他一直心怀不满。Lleva resentido desde que le pasaron por alto para el ascenso.昇進を見送られて以来、彼はずっと不満を抱えている。승진에서 밀린 이후로 그는 계속 불만을 품고 있다.
- She plays with a chip on her shoulder — every game is personal. 她带着一股不服输的劲头比赛——每场比赛都当作个人恩怨。Juega con un espíritu combativo: cada partido es algo personal para ella.彼女は反骨精神でプレーする——すべての試合が個人的な戦いだ。그녀는 반골 기질로 경기를 한다—모든 시합이 개인적인 싸움이다.
- You can't go through life with a chip on your shoulder about everything. 你不能一辈子对什么事都耿耿于怀。No puedes ir por la vida resentido con todo.何事にも不満を抱えて人生を送るわけにはいかないよ。모든 일에 불만을 품고 인생을 살 수는 없어.
발음
사용 가이드
맥락: personality, motivation, criticism
어조: observational, concerned
✓ 올바른 표현
- He's got a chip on his shoulder.He's got a chip on his shoulder.Tiene un resentimiento encima.He's got a chip on his shoulder.(彼は不満を抱えている。)그는 불만을 품고 있어.
- She plays with a chip on her shoulder.She plays with a chip on her shoulder.Ella juega con ganas de revancha.She plays with a chip on her shoulder.(彼女は反骨精神でプレーしている。)그녀는 반골 정신으로 경기해.
✗ 잘못된 표현
- Telling someone they have a chip on their shoulder can be dismissive of legitimate grievances说别人心怀不忿可能会无视他们的合理不满Decirle a alguien que lleva un chip en el hombro puede resultar despectivo con sus quejas legítimaschip on your shoulderがあると言うことは、正当な不満を軽視することになりかねない불만을 품고 있다고 말하면 정당한 불만까지 무시하는 것이 될 수 있다
기원과 역사
From 19th-century America, where a person would literally place a wood chip on their shoulder and dare others to knock it off as a way of challenging them to a fight. The practice was documented in the Long Island Telegraph in 1830.
문화적 배경
Era: 1830s-present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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