drive sb up the wall

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does drive sb up the wall mean? In what situations is drive sb up the wall used?

Meaning of "drive sb up the wall"

Meaning

The idiom “drive sb up the wall” is used to describe a situation where someone is frustrated and exasperated by another person to the point where they become infuriated and often, desperate. It is a common phrase used to express disturbance, annoyance, and/or exasperation with someone's actions. It reflects a sense of helplessness and a feeling of being "at the end of one’s rope.”

Etymology

The phrase has been in use since the mid-19th century in the United States, although its origin is somewhat obscure. The phrase may be a reference to the annoying feeling of a bug crawling up someone’s wall. However, the phrase may also be rooted in the idea of the walls of one’s home, or walls in some other enclosed space being the only barrier between people and their frustrations, which could drive them to the point of anger and desperation. In either case, the phrase rose in popularity during the 20th century, and remains a common expression today.

Usage

The phrase is commonly used to express frustration and disapproval of someone’s behaviour. It is often used in the present tense. For example, “He is driving me up the wall with his constant complaining” or “Her constant complaining drives me up the wall”. It is also sometimes used in a past tense, for example, “He drove me up the wall yesterday” or “She drove me up the wall over the weekend”.

Example Sentences

• His loud music drives me up the wall.
• My boss is always changing her mind and it drives me up the wall.
• I can't believe he keeps asking the same questions; it's driving me up the wall.
• I'm sure she's trying to be helpful, but it's driving me up the wall.

From Shakespeare to Social Media: The Evolution of English Idioms

English idioms have been around for centuries, with many originating from sources like literature, mythology, and everyday life. Shakespeare, for example, coined many phrases that are still used today, such as "break the ice" and "heart of gold." Over time, new idioms have emerged, with social media and popular culture providing rich sources of inspiration. For instance, the phrase "throwing shade" came into use in the 1990s thanks to ball culture, but has since been popularized by social media.