get someone's goat

Definition

To annoy or infuriate someone.

Etymology

Uncertain; it has been suggested that the term may be derived from French prendre la chèvre (literally “to take the goat”), or refer to the stealing of a goat mascot from a military unit, etc.

Example Sentences

• "It really gets my goat when inconsiderate people drop litter in public."
• "If he had legged it on his own account, because what he heard me say got his goat, I could understand that."
• ""Unfortunately," said Soames, "there's no such thing as luck in properly regulated assurance, as we shall find, or I'm much mistaken. I shouldn't be surprised if an action lay against the Board for gross negligence!" That had got the Chairman's goat!—Got his goat? What expressions they used nowadays!"