Ticked Off

Meaning Of Idiom ‘Ticked Off’

To be ticked off means to be angered or infuriated by someone or something; to be annoyed by something or someone; to be frustrated by someone or something.

To tick someone off means to annoy, frustrate, anger, or infuriate someone. A noun or pronoun can be used after ‘tick’ and ‘off.’ E.g. “He ticked John off,” or “He ticked off John.”

Also, (chiefly British) to tick someone off or give someone a ticking off means to scold or reprimand someone.

See also another, unrelated phrasal verb/idiom tick off.

A more vulgar synonym for ‘ticked off’ is pissed off.

Other Synonyms for Ticked Off

teed off
brassed off
browned off
cheesed off
hacked off

Sentence Examples

“It ticks me off when people are rude in comments.”

“Please stop leaving the sink full of dirty dishes. It really ticks me off.”

“I banged my shin again on that darn coffee table. Same spot! Boy, that ticks me off.”

“Hal ticked off his boss today and almost got fired, again!”

“I’m still ticked off at him after all these years. I don’t want to have anything to do with him.”

“Pete is going to have to go. He ticked off everyone at work again.”

“What else makes you mad? Michelle?” “Chores. I had to do my chores today So I am really ticked off.” — The School of Rock (2003)

“…you know what bothers me? What really ticks me off?…He drinks everything but a drop, then puts it back.” — Look Who’s Talking Too (1990)

“I ain’t the smartest coach, but I bust my butt and I outwork smarter coaches. And when I see the talent you got and I see you wasting it, ticks me off.” — Glory Road (2006)

“The Yankees are now on the phone talking to the bullpen and they get a left-hander up. Bobby Mack is ticked off with the Yankees, and he gives batter Jose Garcia the intentional walk.” — For Love of the Game (1999)

“What really ticks you off? Henry!” “When l’m on the freeway, stuck behind some idiot going 55 in the fast lane.” — Exit Wounds (2001)

“I’m not even welcome in my own home, Dad. That is what really ticks me off.” — Fireproof (2008)

Origin

To scold or reprimand is the older of the meanings listed above, seen since the first half the 1900s. This sense may be related to military command, recalling a soldier being ‘ticked off a list’ as ineligible or somehow unworthy.
¹

To cause anger is a later sense, used since the second half of the 1900s; first seen in print by 1971. ²,³

It is unclear how ‘tick’ came to be associated with anger or annoyance. It may somehow be related to the earlier idiom piss off but it may also be independent.