to be an arsehole
1
9.9
- idiom
- /biː ən ˈɑːshəʊl/
- Offensive
- I'm not treating this like a joke, and I am not being an arsehole.
Examples
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And I'll tell the whole world that you're an arsehole now.
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Just don't be an arsehole!
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The problem is that Bill here is an arsehole.
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No, he really does think that Bill is an arsehole.
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- Anyone can be an arsehole.
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- I'm not being an arsehole.
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- Don't be an arsehole, bro.
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I've been an arsehole of spectacular proportions.
Fiction book (1997) -
Allan is being an arsehole, Nicole is being an arsehole, and right now, you are being an arsehole.
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Please don't be an arsehole and ignore my request for help.
Synonyms
9
8.4
To behave rudely or meanly toward other people
1
9.9
To act rudely and annoy other people
1
9.9
Act in a rude, foolish way that annoys or upsets other people
To behave rudely and arrogantly toward other people
To behave very rudely and make other people angry or upset
Behave in a very rude and insulting way to other people
To treat other people rudely and think only about yourself
To behave in a rude and hurtful way to other people
To act selfishly and treat other people badly
Act in a rude, unkind way toward other people
To act in a rude and unhelpful way
To behave in a rude and annoying way
Behave in a rude, annoying, and foolish way toward other people
Behave in a rude and stupid way
To behave in a rude and annoying way
To behave rudely and foolishly in a way that annoys or embarrasses people
Behave rudely and selfishly and annoy other people
Behave in a very rude and thoughtless way that upsets other people
Antonyms
How Rude
Surface Forms
Morphology
be + an + arsehole
The meaning 'to behave in a rude, selfish, or inconsiderate manner' is directly and compositionally derived from 'be' (to exist or act as) plus the noun 'arsehole' (an insulting label for an unpleasant person). This construction follows a transparent 'be + noun' pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase be an arsehole may come from a simple, rude image: arse means the bottom and hole the opening, so calling someone that makes them seem like the most dirty or nasty part of a person. That's why it means 'to behave rudely or selfishly'.