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itch

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make (someone's) teeth itch

1. To greatly irritate or annoy someone, especially to the point of affecting his or her nerves. Nothing makes my teeth itch like seeing these cyclists run every red light in town! I don't know what it is about Terry, but there's something about his demeanor that just makes my teeth itch!

2. To cause someone to be especially upset, nervous, or uncomfortable. Please don't tell me about your surgery—it makes my teeth itch hearing about blood and gore.

See also: itch, make, teeth

*itch for something

a desire for something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) l have an itch for some ice cream. We had an itch for a good movie, so we went.

See also: itch

itch for something

Fig. to desire something. I'm just itching for a visit from Amy. We are itching for some chocolate.

See also: itch

*itch to do something

Fig. a desire to do something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I have an itch to see a movie tonight. Tom has an itch to go swimming.

See also: itch

*itchy palm

 and *itching palm

Fig. [of a hand] in need of a tip. (As if placing money in the palm would stop the itching. *Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) All the waiters at that restaurant have itchy palms. The cabdriver was troubled by an itching palm. Since he refused to carry my bags, I gave him nothing. Whenever he sees expensive luggage, the hotel doorman gets an itching palm.

See also: itchy, palm

seven-year itch

a real or imagined longing for other women in a man's seventh year of marriage. Looks like Jack has the seven-year itch. The seven-year itch is just a rumor.

See also: itch

the seven year itch

  (humorous)

if someone who is married gets the seven year itch, they become bored with their relationship after about seven years and often want to start a sexual relationship with another person He keeps talking about all the women he knew before we were married - I think he's got the seven-year itch.

See also: itch, seven, year

itch for, have an

Also, itch to. Have a persistent restless craving for, as in Dean has an itch for excitement, or Chris is itching to go around the world. [Late 1500s]

See also: have, itch

itchy palm

Also, itching palm. A desire for money, greed; also, wanting a bribe. For example, The porter has an itchy palm; he wants a big tip, or The mayor was known for his itchy palm. This expression alludes to placing money in the palm of the hand. [Late 1500s]

See also: itchy, palm

have an itch for something

tv. to have a desire for something. (Have got can replace have.) We had an itch for a good movie, so we went.

See also: have, itch

seven-year itch

n. a real or imagined longing for other women in a man’s seventh year of marriage. Looks like Jack has the seven-year itch.

See also: itch