What is meant by “thick-skinned”?
“Thick-skinned” is an English idiom used about someone who is not easily upset or insulted:
- “I don’t mind you criticising me. I’m very thick-skinned”.
- “It’s all right; she won’t feel insulted. She’s quite thick-skinned”.
“Thin-skinned” has the opposite meaning. It’s used about someone who is easily upset or insulted.
- “Be careful what you say to him. He’s very thin-skinned”.
- “I didn’t mean to upset you. You shouldn’t be so thin-skinned”.
People also talk about someone getting under someone else’s skin. This means that one person is annoying or irritating the other.
- “He tries not to get upset, but she really gets under his skin”.
- “I don’t like the way he talks to me. He really gets under my skin”.
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