drive someone up the wall
/ˌdraɪv ˌsʌmwʌn ʌp ðə ˈwɔːl/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
to make someone very annoyed or angry
Examples
- 1That dripping tap is driving me up the wall.
- 2My neighbour's late-night drilling drove us up the wall for a fortnight.
- 3Constant notifications drive Priya up the wall while she is studying.
- 4Does queuing for the bus drive you up the wall too?
- 5The squeaky door drove him up the wall until he finally oiled it.
Grammar
The person annoyed goes between drive and up, and only the verb changes (drives, drove, driving).
Similar in meaning
More idioms about emotions
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →head over heelscompletely in love with someoneget something off your chestto say at last what has been worrying youkeep your chin upto stay cheerful in a difficult situationat the end of your tetherhaving no patience or strength leftlet off steamto release strong feelings or energy harmlesslya weight off your minda relief after a worry has gone
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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