Sometimes, people say things in a rude or unkind way. Instead of saying someone is “mean,” we often use idioms to describe their behavior. Idioms are phrases that have special meanings. They don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they help us talk about feelings and actions in fun or interesting ways.
In this lesson, you will learn some common idioms that people use when talking about someone who is mean. You might hear these phrases in books, on TV, or in real life. Knowing these idioms can help you understand others better and use more colorful language in your own speaking and writing.
Idioms for Mean
1. Mean as a snake
Meaning: Very unkind or cruel.
Sample Sentences: He was mean as a snake when he called his friend a bad name. / Don’t be mean as a snake to your little brother.
Other Way to Say: Very cruel / Really nasty
2. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone on purpose and be unfriendly.
Sample Sentences: She gave me the cold shoulder after I forgot her birthday. / When he was mad, he gave his friend the cold shoulder.
Other Way to Say: Ignore someone / Act unfriendly
3. Rub salt in the wound
Meaning: To make someone feel worse by reminding them of something bad.
Sample Sentences: It was mean to rub salt in the wound after she missed the game. / Don’t rub salt in the wound when your friend is sad.
Other Way to Say: Make someone feel worse / Hurt someone more
4. Hit below the belt
Meaning: To say or do something unfair and hurtful.
Sample Sentences: Calling her ugly was hitting below the belt. / It’s mean to hit below the belt during an argument.
Other Way to Say: Be unfair / Hurt in a low way
5. Take it out on someone
Meaning: To be mean to someone because you are upset about something else.
Sample Sentences: He was angry but took it out on his little sister. / Don’t take it out on me just because you’re mad.
Other Way to Say: Be mean because you’re upset / Blame someone else
6. Cold-hearted
Meaning: Not caring about other people’s feelings.
Sample Sentences: She was cold-hearted when she laughed at the crying boy. / It’s mean to be cold-hearted to someone who needs help.
Other Way to Say: Uncaring / Heartless
7. Backhanded compliment
Meaning: Saying something that sounds nice but really is hurtful.
Sample Sentences: Saying “You look good for your age” is a backhanded compliment. / That was a mean backhanded compliment.
Other Way to Say: Fake praise / Hidden insult
8. Put someone down
Meaning: To say mean things to make someone feel bad.
Sample Sentences: He put me down in front of everyone. / It’s not nice to put others down.
Other Way to Say: Insult someone / Make fun of someone
9. Bark up the wrong tree
Meaning: To wrongly blame or criticize someone.
Sample Sentences: You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I took your book. / Don’t bark up the wrong tree and blame your friend.
Other Way to Say: Blame the wrong person / Be mistaken
10. Throw shade
Meaning: To say something mean or criticize someone quietly.
Sample Sentences: She threw shade by saying his project was lazy. / Don’t throw shade at your friends.
Other Way to Say: Criticize quietly / Be sneaky mean
11. Cut someone to the quick
Meaning: To hurt someone’s feelings deeply.
Sample Sentences: His rude words cut her to the quick. / Don’t say things that cut people to the quick.
Other Way to Say: Hurt deeply / Make someone feel very sad
12. Two-faced
Meaning: Being mean or bad behind someone’s back but nice to their face.
Sample Sentences: He is two-faced; he says nice things to you but bad things later. / Don’t be two-faced to your classmates.
Other Way to Say: Fake friend / Not honest
13. Play dirty
Meaning: To be mean by cheating or breaking rules.
Sample Sentences: It’s mean to play dirty in a game. / He played dirty to win the race.
Other Way to Say: Cheat / Be unfair
14. Kick someone when they’re down
Meaning: To be mean to someone who is already having a hard time.
Sample Sentences: She kicked him when he was down by laughing at his mistake. / Don’t kick someone when they’re down.
Other Way to Say: Hurt someone already sad / Be extra mean
15. Have a chip on your shoulder
Meaning: To be angry and mean because you feel treated unfairly.
Sample Sentences: He has a chip on his shoulder after losing the game. / Don’t have a chip on your shoulder about the test.
Other Way to Say: Be upset / Carry a grudge
16. Throw someone under the bus
Meaning: To blame or betray someone to save yourself.
Sample Sentences: He threw his friend under the bus to avoid trouble. / It’s mean to throw someone under the bus.
Other Way to Say: Betray / Blame unfairly
17. Cry wolf
Meaning: To lie or say something bad when it’s not true, which can be mean if it causes trouble.
Sample Sentences: She cried wolf about the homework so the teacher got mad. / Don’t cry wolf or no one will trust you.
Other Way to Say: Lie / Trick others
18. Rub someone the wrong way
Meaning: To annoy or upset someone without meaning to.
Sample Sentences: His joke rubbed me the wrong way. / Sometimes people rub others the wrong way without knowing.
Other Way to Say: Annoy / Upset
19. Sharp-tongued
Meaning: Saying mean or hurtful things quickly.
Sample Sentences: She is sharp-tongued and often hurts people’s feelings. / Don’t be sharp-tongued with your friends.
Other Way to Say: Mean with words / Harsh talker
20. Give someone a hard time
Meaning: To tease or bother someone in a mean way.
Sample Sentences: They gave him a hard time about his new glasses. / Stop giving me a hard time about my drawing.
Other Way to Say: Tease / Bother
21. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To make a small problem seem very big in a mean or unfair way.
Sample Sentences: She made a mountain out of a molehill when I forgot my homework. / Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill about that mistake.
Other Way to Say: Exaggerate / Make small things big
22. Snub someone
Meaning: To ignore or treat someone badly on purpose.
Sample Sentences: He snubbed his classmate by not talking to her. / It’s mean to snub someone at lunch.
Other Way to Say: Ignore / Reject
23. Blow someone off
Meaning: To ignore or not pay attention to someone’s feelings or plans.
Sample Sentences: She blew me off when I asked to play. / Don’t blow off your friends when they need you.
Other Way to Say: Ignore / Avoid
24. Talk behind someone’s back
Meaning: To say mean things about someone when they are not there.
Sample Sentences: They talked behind her back and made fun of her shoes. / It’s not nice to talk behind someone’s back.
Other Way to Say: Gossip / Say mean things secretly
25. Rub someone the wrong way
Meaning: To bother or annoy someone without trying to.
Sample Sentences: His attitude rubbed me the wrong way. / Sometimes people rub others the wrong way without meaning to.
Other Way to Say: Annoy / Upset
26. Cut to the bone
Meaning: To hurt someone deeply with words or actions.
Sample Sentences: His criticism cut to the bone and made her cry. / That mean comment cut me to the bone.
Other Way to Say: Hurt deeply / Make someone very sad
27. Throw cold water on something
Meaning: To say mean or negative things that stop people from being excited.
Sample Sentences: She threw cold water on my idea during class. / Don’t throw cold water on their plans.
Other Way to Say: Discourage / Be negative
28. Take the wind out of someone’s sails
Meaning: To say or do something that stops someone’s excitement or confidence.
Sample Sentences: His joke took the wind out of her sails. / Don’t take the wind out of someone’s sails when they try hard.
Other Way to Say: Stop enthusiasm / Discourage
29. Bite someone’s head off
Meaning: To speak to someone in a very angry and mean way.
Sample Sentences: He bit my head off just for asking a question. / Don’t bite your friends’ heads off when you’re upset.
Other Way to Say: Yell at / Speak angrily
30. Give someone the third degree
Meaning: To ask many questions in a mean or harsh way.
Sample Sentences: My parents gave me the third degree about my homework. / They gave her the third degree after she was late.
Other Way to Say: Question harshly / Interrogate
31. Put the knife in
Meaning: To say something very mean to hurt someone.
Sample Sentences: He really put the knife in when he said she was slow. / Don’t put the knife in people’s feelings.
Other Way to Say: Hurt with words / Be cruel
32. Put someone on blast
Meaning: To make someone feel embarrassed by telling others something mean about them.
Sample Sentences: She put him on blast for cheating in the game. / Don’t put your friends on blast in front of others.
Other Way to Say: Embarrass / Call out
33. Throw someone off the track
Meaning: To confuse or upset someone in a mean way so they make mistakes.
Sample Sentences: His teasing threw me off the track during the test. / Don’t throw your teammates off the track with mean words.
Other Way to Say: Confuse / Distract
34. Give someone a piece of your mind
Meaning: To say mean or angry things to someone who upset you.
Sample Sentences: I gave my brother a piece of my mind after he broke my toy. / Don’t give people a piece of your mind just to be mean.
Other Way to Say: Scold / Speak angrily
35. Laugh in someone’s face
Meaning: To be mean by laughing at someone in a hurtful way.
Sample Sentences: They laughed in his face when he missed the ball. / Don’t laugh in someone’s face when they try.
Other Way to Say: Mock / Make fun of
36. Turn your back on someone
Meaning: To stop helping or being friendly to someone.
Sample Sentences: She turned her back on her old friend after the fight. / It’s mean to turn your back on someone who needs you.
Other Way to Say: Ignore / Reject
37. Blow up at someone
Meaning: To suddenly get very angry and be mean.
Sample Sentences: He blew up at his sister for no reason. / Don’t blow up at people when you’re upset.
Other Way to Say: Get very angry / Yell suddenly
38. Give someone the evil eye
Meaning: To look at someone in a mean or angry way.
Sample Sentences: She gave me the evil eye when I took her seat. / Don’t give the evil eye to your friends.
Other Way to Say: Glare / Look angrily
39. Throw a tantrum
Meaning: To act mean and angry by yelling or crying.
Sample Sentences: He threw a tantrum when he lost the game. / Don’t throw a tantrum when things don’t go your way.
Other Way to Say: Have a fit / Act angry
40. Twist someone’s words
Meaning: To say something mean by changing what someone said to sound bad.
Sample Sentences: He twisted my words and made me look bad. / Don’t twist people’s words to be mean.
Other Way to Say: Misinterpret / Change meaning
41. Give someone a hard stare
Meaning: To look at someone in a mean or angry way.
Sample Sentences: She gave him a hard stare when he was being rude. / Don’t give a hard stare to your friends.
Other Way to Say: Glare / Look angrily
42. Put someone on the spot
Meaning: To ask someone questions or make them do something hard in front of others.
Sample Sentences: The teacher put me on the spot by asking a hard question. / It’s mean to put your friend on the spot.
Other Way to Say: Embarrass / Pressure
43. Play mind games
Meaning: To be mean by confusing or tricking someone.
Sample Sentences: She played mind games with her classmates. / Don’t play mind games with your friends.
Other Way to Say: Trick / Confuse
44. Snicker behind someone’s back
Meaning: To quietly laugh at someone to be mean.
Sample Sentences: They snickered behind her back about her new haircut. / Don’t snicker behind others’ backs.
Other Way to Say: Gossip / Laugh secretly
45. Cold fish
Meaning: Someone who is mean because they do not show feelings.
Sample Sentences: He is a cold fish and never smiles at anyone. / Don’t be a cold fish; be kind to friends.
Other Way to Say: Unfriendly / Emotionless
46. Be a pain in the neck
Meaning: To be annoying or mean by bothering others a lot.
Sample Sentences: He was a pain in the neck when he kept interrupting. / Don’t be a pain in the neck to your teacher.
Other Way to Say: Annoying / Bothering
47. Slam the door on someone
Meaning: To be mean by stopping someone from coming or talking.
Sample Sentences: She slammed the door on him after their fight. / Don’t slam the door on people who want to talk.
Other Way to Say: Reject / Stop suddenly
48. Give someone the runaround
Meaning: To be mean by not helping and avoiding someone.
Sample Sentences: The clerk gave me the runaround when I asked for help. / Don’t give your friends the runaround.
Other Way to Say: Avoid / Ignore
49. Lash out at someone
Meaning: To suddenly be mean or angry toward someone.
Sample Sentences: He lashed out at his sister after a bad day. / Don’t lash out at others when you’re mad.
Other Way to Say: Yell at / Be angry suddenly
50. Cut someone off
Meaning: To stop talking to someone or stop helping them.
Sample Sentences: She cut him off when he tried to explain. / Don’t cut off your friends when they need you.
Other Way to Say: Ignore / Stop communication
51. Put someone through the wringer
Meaning: To treat someone very badly or cause them stress.
Sample Sentences: The coach put the players through the wringer during practice. / Don’t put your friends through the wringer.
Other Way to Say: Stress / Treat badly
52. Give someone the brush-off
Meaning: To reject or ignore someone in a mean way.
Sample Sentences: She gave me the brush-off when I asked to join. / Don’t give people the brush-off.
Other Way to Say: Reject / Ignore
53. Talk down to someone
Meaning: To speak in a mean way like you are better than them.
Sample Sentences: He talked down to me because I made a mistake. / Don’t talk down to your friends.
Other Way to Say: Be rude / Act superior
54. Pick on someone
Meaning: To be mean by bothering or teasing someone often.
Sample Sentences: They picked on him because of his glasses. / Don’t pick on kids who are different.
Other Way to Say: Tease / Bully
55. Give someone a dirty look
Meaning: To look at someone in a mean or angry way without saying anything.
Sample Sentences: She gave me a dirty look after I spilled the juice. / Don’t give people dirty looks.
Other Way to Say: Glare / Look angrily
Multiple Choice Questions: Idioms for Mean
1. What does “give someone the cold shoulder” mean?
A) Give someone a gift
B) Ignore someone on purpose
C) Offer someone food
2. If someone “cuts you down,” what are they doing?
A) Helping you feel better
B) Saying something that hurts you
C) Giving you a ride
3. What does it mean if someone “talks behind your back”?
A) Says something nice about you
B) Talks loudly
C) Says mean things when you’re not there
4. When someone “throws you under the bus,” what are they doing?
A) Helping you fix a problem
B) Blaming you to protect themselves
C) Driving badly
5. If your friend “has a sharp tongue,” what does that mean?
A) They speak many languages
B) They talk fast
C) They say mean or hurtful things
6. What does “kick someone when they’re down” mean?
A) Help someone who fell
B) Be mean to someone already having a bad time
C) Play a rough game
7. What does it mean when someone “takes a dig at you”?
A) Helps you with homework
B) Makes a small, mean comment
C) Gives you candy
8. If a kid “talks trash” during a game, what are they doing?
A) Talking about cleaning up
B) Saying nice things
C) Saying mean things to others
9. When someone “has a mean streak,” what does that mean?
A) They are always friendly
B) They act mean sometimes
C) They wear striped clothes
10. What does it mean if someone is “cold as ice”?
A) They like snow
B) They don’t care about others’ feelings
C) They are very shy
11. What does “push someone’s buttons” mean?
A) Press elevator buttons
B) Annoy someone on purpose
C) Play a video game
12. If someone “puts you down,” what are they doing?
A) Letting you rest
B) Saying kind things
C) Making you feel small or unimportant
Answer Key
1. B) Ignore someone on purpose
2. B) Saying something that hurts you
3. C) Says mean things when you’re not there
4. B) Blaming you to protect themselves
5. C) They say mean or hurtful things
6. B) Be mean to someone already having a bad time
7. B) Makes a small, mean comment
8. C) Saying mean things to others
9. B) They act mean sometimes
10. B) They don’t care about others’ feelings
11. B) Annoy someone on purpose
12. C) Making you feel small or unimportant
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
You understand these idioms really well and know how to spot mean behavior in words. - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love Idioms.
You’ve got a strong start. A little more practice and you’ll be a pro. - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
Keep learning. These idioms will soon become easier to remember. - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love Idioms together.
That’s okay idioms take time to learn. Review them again and try once more!
Conclusion
Idioms help us understand how people speak and act in real life. When someone is mean, they don’t always say it in a direct way. That’s why these phrases are useful. They show feelings or actions in a short, easy-to-remember way.
By learning idioms for being mean, you can better understand what others mean and explain how you feel, too. The more you see these phrases, the easier they become to use. Keep paying attention when people speak you might hear these idioms around you.
