Feelings & emotions

A chip on your shoulder

A lasting feeling of resentment because you think you have been treated unfairly.

Examples

  • He's had a chip on his shoulder ever since he was passed over for promotion.
  • She doesn't have a chip on her shoulder about where she grew up – she's proud of it.

How to use it

Informal. Usually "have a chip on your shoulder (about something)". Change the pronoun to match the subject.