- Home
- Idioms
- sore
sore
(as) cross as a bear with a sore head
Exceptionally irritable, annoyed, or grumpy. John is always cross as a bear with a sore head first thing in the morning; it's best not to even talk to him until he's had his coffee. Janet was as cross as a bear with a sore head when she found out she had missed her connecting flight.
a sore loser
Someone who complains, becomes upset, or otherwise reacts very negatively when he or she fails or loses at something competitive. Don't be such a sore loser, Jim. I know you pride yourself on your racquetball skills, but I beat you fair and square.
like a bear with a sore head
Exceptionally irritable, annoyed, or grumpy. John is always like a bear with a sore head first thing in the morning—it's best not to even talk to him until he's had his coffee. Janet was like a bear with a sore head when she found out she had missed her connecting flight.
sore point
A topic that makes one angry or uncomfortable. Whatever you do, don't mention his ex-wife—his divorce is really a sore point with him.
sore spot
A topic that makes one angry or uncomfortable. Whatever you do, don't mention his ex-wife—his divorce is really a sore spot with him.
be a sight for sore eyes
To be someone or something that one is excited or overjoyed to see, often after a long absence or separation. Charlie, I can't believe you're back in town! Get over here, you're a sight for sore eyes! I'm so tired after being on tour. My bed is a sight for sore eyes.
be like a bear with a sore head
To be exceptionally irritable, annoyed, or grumpy. John is always like a bear with a sore head first thing in the morning—it's best not to even talk to him until he's had his coffee. Janet was like a bear with a sore head when she found out she had missed her connecting flight.
sight for sore eyes
Fig. a welcome sight. Oh, am I glad to see you here! You're a sight for sore eyes. I'm sure hungry. This meal is a sight for sore eyes.
*sore (at someone)
Fig. angry at someone. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; make someone ~.) When Mary hears what you said about her, she'll get sore for sure. Please don't get sore at me.
stick out
to project outward. You can't lock your suitcase because there is a bit of cloth sticking out. some cloth stuck out of the top of the drawer.
stick out
(from someone or something) to project outward from someone or something. His right arm, which was in a cast, stuck out from him like a crane. His arm stuck out.
stick out like a sore thumb
Fig. to be very obvious. That pimple really sticks out like a sore thumb. Do you think I would stick out like a sore thumb at the party if I wear this coat?
stick out (of someone or something)
to protrude from someone or something. The arrow stuck out of him, wobbling as he staggered. A dollar bill stuck out of the book. What a strange bookmark.
stick something out
to endure something; to stay with something. (The something can be vaguely expressed using it.) I will stick it out as long as I can. she stuck out the abuse as long as she could; then she started looking for another job.
touch a sore spot
and touch a sore pointFig. to refer to a sensitive matter that will upset someone. (Fig. on the notion of touching an injury and causing pain.) I seem to have touched a sore spot. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. When you talk to him, avoid talking about money. It's best not to touch a sore point if possible.
a sight for sore eyes
something you are happy to see The many taxis in the city are a sight for sore eyes when it's raining.
stick out
to be very easily noticed because of being different Dye your hair orange and you'll really stick out in a small town like this.
Related vocabulary: stand outstick out like a sore thumb
also stand out like a sore thumb to be easily noticed as different Ted wore old jeans to the party, and he stuck out like a sore thumb among all the well-dressed guests.
be like a bear with a sore head
(British & Australian humorous) to be in a bad mood which causes you to treat other people badly and complain a lot If his newspaper doesn't arrive by breakfast time he's like a bear with a sore head.
See bring to bear, bear the brunt ofbe a sight for sore eyes
(informal) if someone or something is a sight for sore eyes, you feel happy to see them A cup of coffee - that's a sight for sore eyes. You're a sight for sore eyes, all dressed up in your new outfit.
a sore point/spot
a subject which someone would prefer not to talk about because it makes them angry or embarrassed (often + with ) I tried not to make any reference to Mike's drinking habits - I know it's a sore point with Kay at the moment.
stand/stick out like a sore thumb
if someone or something sticks out like a sore thumb, everyone notices them because they are very different from the other people or things around them Everyone else was in jeans and casual gear and I had my office clothes on - I stuck out like a sore thumb.
cross as a bear
Grumpy, ill-humored, annoyed, as in Stay away from Claire; she's cross as a bear this morning. Unlike the earlier cross as two stocks, this survives even though the adjective cross for "ill-tempered" is otherwise not used much in America. It is sometimes amplified as cross as a bear with a sore head. [Early 1700s]
sight for sore eyes, a
One whom it is a relief or joy to see, as in Linda, who had not seen him in 15 years, told him he was a sight for sore eyes. This idiom implies an appearance so welcome that it heals ailing eyes. [First half of 1700s]
sore point, a
A sensitive or annoying issue, as in Don't mention diets to Elsie; it's a sore point with her. This idiom was first recorded as a sore place in 1690.
stick out
1. Also, stick out a mile or like a sore thumb. Be very prominent or conspicuous, as in Dad's funny hat made him stick out in the crowd, or That purple house sticks out a mile, or John's lie sticks out like a sore thumb. The first term dates from the mid-1500s, the variants from the first half of the 1900s. The variant using thumb alludes to the propensity for holding an injured thumb stiffly, making it stand out (and thereby risking further injury).
2. Continue doing something, endure something, as in
I know you don't like it but you have to stick out the job for another month. [Late 1600s] A variant is
stick it out, as in
His new play's boring, but since he's my cousin we'd better stick it out. [Late 1800s] Also see
stick it, def. 1.
stick out
v.1. To project or protrude: The tag is sticking out of your shirt. A flagpole stuck out from the front of the house.
2. To cause something to project or protrude: The child stuck out her hand for candy. He stuck his tongue out at me.
3. To be prominent; be conspicuous: Do you think a pink suit will stick out too much? This essay stuck out from the other submissions.
4. To endure something: We stuck out two years without electricity or running water. There was only one month left of school, so I stuck it out and transferred the following year.
5. stick out for To resist capitulating in negotiations so as to achieve some more favorable terms: The striking workers stuck out for better wages.
sore
mod. angry. She is one sore old lady. You should give her teeth back.
stick out like a sore thumb
in. to be very obvious. Do you think I would stick out like a sore thumb at the party if I wear this coat?
touch a sore point
tv. to mention something that upsets someone. I touched a sore point with Larry when I mentioned taxes.
sight for sore eyes
Informal One whom it is a relief or joy to see.