Drive up the wall Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɹaɪv/ /ˈəp/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈwɔɫ
DRYV-up-thuh-WAWL
dɹˈaɪv/ /ˈʌp/ /ðə, ði/ /wˈɔːl
dryv-UP-thuh-WAWL
Definition
To make someone extremely annoyed or frustrated; to irritate someone a lot.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often used to exaggerate irritation. Typical with 'really', 'absolutely', or 'almost'. Common mistakes: confusing with literal driving or physical walls. Only use for people, not things.
Spanish: sacar de quicio - volver loco - desesperarPortuguese (BR): deixar louco - irritar muitoPortuguese (PT): deixar maluco - irritar imensoChinese (Simplified): 逼疯 - 让人抓狂Chinese (Traditional): 逼瘋 - 讓人抓狂Hindi: दीवाना कर देना - बहुत परेशान कर देनाArabic: يُخْرِج عن طَورِه - يُجَنِّنBengali: গোঁজিয়ে তোলা - পাগল করে দেওয়া - বিরক্তির চরম পর্যায়ে পৌঁছে দেওয়াRussian: сводить с ума - ужасно раздражатьJapanese: イライラさせる - 頭にくる - 我慢できなくさせるVietnamese: làm phát điên - làm bực mình kinh khủngKorean: 미치게 하다 - 정말 짜증나게 하다Turkish: çileden çıkarmak - delirtmekUrdu: پاگل کر دینا - بہت زیادہ زچ کرناIndonesian: membuat kesal banget - membuat sangat jengkel
Example Sentences
My little brother can drive up the wall when he shouts all afternoon.
basic
Loud construction noise will drive up the wall if it continues for hours.
basic
Waiting in long lines always drives me up the wall.
basic
His constant tapping on the desk is really driving me up the wall.
natural
If I hear that song one more time, it’s going to drive me up the wall!
natural
You know what really drives me up the wall? People who talk loudly on the phone in public.
natural