A bee in your bonnet
Meaning: An obsessive idea; something that preoccupies or annoys you.
Having a 'bee in your bonnet' means being fixated on an idea—often one that others find trivial or annoying. The buzzing bee represents a persistent, nagging thought you can't escape.
Examples
- She's got a bee in her bonnet about recycling. 她对回收的事耿耿于怀Está obsesionada con el reciclaje彼女はリサイクルのことで頭がいっぱい그녀는 재활용에 대해 머리가 가득 차 있어.
- What's this bee in your bonnet about? 你在纠结什么?¿Con qué estás tan obsesionado?何をそんなに気にしているの?대체 뭘 그렇게 신경 쓰고 있어?
- He's had a bee in his bonnet ever since. 从那以后他就一直对此念念不忘Desde entonces no puede quitárselo de la cabeza彼はそれ以来ずっとそのことばかり気にしている그는 그때 이후로 계속 그것만 신경 쓰고 있어.
Pronunciation
/ə biː ɪn jɔːr ˈbɒnɪt/
Usage Guide
Context: obsession, preoccupation, annoyance
Tone: slightly exasperated
✓ Do Say
- A bee in your bonnet脑子里挥之不去的念头Una idea fija頭から離れない考え머릿속에서 떠나지 않는 생각
- Bee in his bonnet他一直放不下这件事Está obsesionado con eso彼はそのことばかり気にしている그는 그 일에 집착하고 있다
Common Mistakes
- Often implies the obsession is excessive or trivial
Origin & History
Dating from the 16th century, the image is of a bee trapped under a bonnet (hat), buzzing persistently and inescapably. The metaphor captures how obsessive thoughts buzz persistently in the mind.
Etymology: Image of trapped bee buzzing persistently under a hat
First recorded: 16th century
Cultural Context
Era: 16th century onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Traditional British expression
Regional notes: British origin, understood globally.
Variations
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