Phrase guide

do someone's head in

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To frustrate, infuriate, irritate or disturb someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, UK, idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • Please stop reading the name of every sign we come across; it's doing my head in!
  • 2006, Claire Taylor, quoting “Donnie”, Young People in Care and Criminal Behaviour, page 121, I just want to get out there to me bird really...′cos she don′t want me in here all the time, it′s doing her head in. It′s doing my head in. It didn′t used to do my head in, it used to be like care, if you know what I mean, when I first started coming to jail. It used to be like ‘yeah, I′m back in care’ kind of thing.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: prendre la tête — irritate, disturb
  • German: wahnsinnig machen — irritate, disturb
  • German: kirre machen — irritate, disturb
  • German: gaga machen — irritate, disturb
  • Russian: бесить (besitʹ) — irritate, disturb