Phrase guide

set someone's teeth on edge

verb · 2 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To irritate or strike as unpleasant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I can't stand his squeaky voice. It always sets my teeth on edge.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To cause a disagreeable tingling sensation in one's teeth, as when acids are brought into contact with them.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: az idegeire megy — to irritate or be unpleasant
  • Polish: działać na nerwy — to irritate or be unpleasant
  • Polish: grać na nerwach — to irritate or be unpleasant
  • Russian: раздража́ть (razdražátʹ) — to irritate or be unpleasant
  • Sicilian: scummàttiri — to irritate or be unpleasant
  • Sicilian: nzurtari — to irritate or be unpleasant
  • Ottoman Turkish: قماشدیرمق (kamaştırmak) — to irritate or be unpleasant
  • Italian: allegare — to cause unpleasant sensation in one's teeth
  • Italian: allappare — to cause unpleasant sensation in one's teeth
  • Italian: far venire il mal di denti — to cause unpleasant sensation in one's teeth
  • Polish: podrażniać — to cause unpleasant sensation in one's teeth
  • Polish: podrażnić — to cause unpleasant sensation in one's teeth
  • Sicilian: allippari — to cause unpleasant sensation in one's teeth
  • Spanish: dar dentera — to cause unpleasant sensation in one's teeth