Have a Chip on Your Shoulder - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing
Master the idiom ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’ to express resentment or defensiveness and add depth, fluency, and confidence in the IELTS Speaking & Writing Sections. Check out the meaning, scenarios, and exercises to improve your vocabulary.
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The idiom ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’ can be used to talk about somebody who is unwilling to forgive and assumes that they have imposed an unfair treatment on them. The application of such idioms can naturally help in developing your Speaking and Writing skills while sounding natural. Remember that your idiomatic vocabulary provides you with an opportunity to convey feelings and attitudes with precision for scoring a band 8+ in the IELTS Exam.
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What is the meaning of ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’?
Using appropriate idioms would give your answers depth, fluency, and showcase your ability to control the usage of IELTS Vocabulary. Therefore, you must get familiar with the literal and figurative meanings of the idiom involved, learn the synonyms, and be aware of the situations where you can fit it in your sentences. Along with that, remember to focus on the pronunciation and tone used as well as the formation of sentences. The table below depicts the important aspects of the idiom ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’ which includes its meaning, synonyms, and examples.
|
Topic |
Description |
|
Have a Chip on Your Shoulder |
Idiom |
|
Definition |
To seem angry all the time because you think you have been treated unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people. |
|
Synonyms |
Grudge, Defensive, Resentful |
|
Origin |
In the 1800s, in the USA, there was a practice where people who wanted to physically fight would place a chip of wood on their shoulders, challenging others to knock it off. |
|
Example |
You seem to be annoyed about everything they do; I think you have a chip on your shoulder about the ruling party. You have a chip on your shoulder if you think the science teacher hates you. She is very caring towards you.
Many people have a chip on their shoulders about their recent fight. Individuals, nowadays, seem to have a chip on their shoulders as they cannot take constructive criticism spontaneously. |
Curious to learn a few Useful Idioms for IELTS Speaking? Check out the video below!
When to Use ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’ in IELTS Speaking & Writing Answers?
For scoring a band 8+, it is necessary to not only be aware of the meaning of the idiomatic language but also comprehend the scenarios where you can apply them seamlessly. By including the idiom ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’ in the IELTS Speaking & Writing answers, you can appropriately use it for its expressive and descriptive power. Remember that it is not only about knowing the meaning but also about the tone and context where this idiom fits naturally. Below are the two scenarios where you can use the idiom.
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Scenario 1:
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Harish: I am so annoyed. Jenny: God! You do seem to have a chip on your shoulder always. |
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Scenario 2:
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Janet: I do not believe in relationships anymore, I’ve got enough of them. Jessica: You seem to have a chip on your shoulder. Don’t decide anything because of one bad relationship! |
Grab the Vocabulary for IELTS (Essential words for popular topics in IELTS) and take a step towards your desired band score of 8+.
Exercise on Have a Chip on Your Shoulder for IELTS Speaking & Writing
Now that you have become familiar with the idiom ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’, let’s dive into the exercise given below. By using idioms like these, you will improve your language and also make your answers sound more appealing and fluent. Let’s get started!
Select the right idiom to fill in the blank.
|
Break the Ice |
Hit the Nail on the Head |
Throw in the Towel |
|
Have a Chip on Your Shoulder |
The Tip of the Iceberg |
Cost an Arm and a Leg |
1 The corruption scandal that came to light last week is just __________; the story has much more to it than what we know.
2 When the debate began, her opening statement really __________ — she managed to succinctly outline the entire matter.
3 The luxury watch he got __________, but it was worthy for him.
4 He __________ and became quite defensive during team discussions lately after getting a promotion.
5 The weary player who had lost several matches in a row finally decided to __________ and retire.
6 To put everyone in a good mood at the beginning of the meeting, the manager told a funny story to __________.
Answer to the Exercise on Have a Chip on Your Shoulder for IELTS Speaking & Writing
It is time to check the answers for the exercise on the idiom ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’. Crucially analyzing the correct answers will not only help you to find out your mistakes but also acknowledge the reasons for such choices. With this, this will help you to score a higher IELTS Band Score. Let’s see how many you got right!
- The Tip of the Iceberg
- Hit the Nail on the Head
- Cost an Arm and a Leg
- Have a Chip on Your Shoulder
- Throw in the Towel
- Break the Ice
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The use of idioms like ‘Have a Chip on Your Shoulder’ in various contexts will help to elevate your Speaking and IELTS Writing band scores. By mastering such expressions, your fluency and confidence will increase during the IELTS exam. With diligent practice, you can convey defensiveness or sensitivity with more subtlety and take a step towards success.
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