Please help me...

[LaylazMom01]

Hello,
I am new to this site and I am hoping that someone can help me. My nephew has some bonus work due, and I am trying to help him out. His teacher gave them a list of idioms. They are supposed to find the origin of the phrase. His phrase was " a chip on the shoulder."
Please help me help him.

[Ouisch]

Chip on his shoulder

[piousoul]

Chip on his shoulder

Therefore, is it right to say:

There is a chip on my shouder; leave me alone?

[Ouisch]

Therefore, is it right to say:

There is a chip on my shouder; leave me alone?

Usually the person with the chip on his shoulder isn't aware of it. Other people, however, notice that he has an "attitude." They'll say, "Don't try to reason with Piousoul, he's got a chip on his shoulder."

[piousoul]

Usually the person with the chip on his shoulder isn't aware of it. Other people, however, notice that he has an "attitude." They'll say, "Don't try to reason with Piousoul, he's got a chip on his shoulder."

Thanks, Ouisch, for the clarification, but if I hope people leave me alone, could I say that? Or what else would you say?

[blackbyrus]

You could say it about yourself, but it would sound either weird or witty depending on how your listener took it, because it is sort of an insult to yourself. It means you are holding a grudge or have a bad attitude (implied that you have it because of things that happened in your past.)

Here's a joke using it: "I am well balanced...I have chips on both my shoulders!" ("Well balanced" referring to a person is also an idiom meaning that the person has good sense, is cheerful, is sane, or has varied interests.)

[piousoul]

Thanks, blackbyrus, for the extra info.

[Casiopea]

Welcome, LaylazMom01.

[britbelle]

Chip on his Shoulder
This idiom simply means to carry a grudge. It dates back to the 19th century. Fighters would put a chip on their shoulder and dare others to knock it off.

Found this on the web - hope it helps!