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to get one's goat
01
to really annoy or frustrate someone
![to [get] {one's} goat definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/42616/original/?type=jpeg "to [get] {one's} goat definition and meaning")
What is the origin of the idiom "get one's goat" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "get one's goat" dates back to horse racing in the early 1900s. It was believed that horses would become agitated and perform poorly if their companion goat, which often kept them calm, was taken away. Thus, if someone wanted to sabotage a competitor's horse, they would "get their goat" by removing the calming influence, leading to a negative impact on the horse's performance. The phrase is commonly used in casual conversations to express discontent or irritation with a particular situation, behavior, or individual.
Example
The ongoing noise from the construction site is getting my goat every day.
Their constant interruptions during the presentation got my goat yesterday.
Her constant tardiness to meetings really gets my goat.
The thought of dealing with his incompetence in the upcoming project is going to get my goat.
While I was studying, their continuous distractions were getting my goat.
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