To persistently criticize, nag, or hassle someone about their behavior or performance. Implies unwanted attention or pressure, often from someone in authority.
This phrase emerged from 1960s American slang, where 'case' referred to one's personal situation or circumstances, borrowed from legal terminology. 'Getting on someone's case' meant involving oneself in their personal business or problems. The expression gained popularity in workplace and family contexts where criticism feels intrusive.
The legal metaphor is quite clever - it suggests someone is building a case against you, gathering evidence of your faults like a prosecutor. This transforms everyday nagging into something that feels more official and threatening. It's interesting how we borrowed courtroom language to describe domestic and workplace friction.
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