This test works are hard

[Excel]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #283 "English Slang Idioms (5)", question 1

Mark is always eager to argue about how this business should be run. He seems to have a real ......... on his shoulder about it.

(a) head
(b) chip
(c) sore
(d) bluebird

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #283 "English Slang Idioms (5)", answer 1

Mark is always eager to argue about how this business should be run. He seems to have a real chip on his shoulder about it.

Correct answer: (b) chip
_________________________

this test works are hard.

Excel

[Kitosdad]

If you are to excel, then you must study more.

He excels in most sports.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Gheon]

Everyone who doesn't get it would appreciate it to find an explanation to the phrase have a real chip on the shoulder about something
The only slightly resembling phrase I found in my dictionaries: be a chip of the old block = to be like a father
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I find your Lack of Faith disturbing!
The Force is out there!

[Kitosdad]

Good morning Gheon. You did note that the question was a year old, and the reply was my abysmal attempt at humour.

The phrase refers to someone who has a particular dislike to someone or something at most times of the days. Most often argumentative, and sometimes aggressive.
_________________
Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Alan]

Hi Gheon,

If you have a chip on your shoulder, it suggests that you have some kind of inferiority complex and that causes your to show resentment and aggression. In the test sentence 'real chip' gives the idea that this resentment is very active. Apparently there was an American custom whereby a young man would place a block of wood on his shoulder and challenge anyone to knock it off.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Gheon]

[Kati Svaby]

Dear Alan,

If you receive today this letter please see my progress report, because today maybe you can see that I did today the tests what I had done yesterday and few month ago. Not only my photos had been deleted from the score -board but there isn't trace the date of the day yesterday when I did again these tests. He deleted the date also.
Maybe today you can find it.
Many thanks:
kati svaby

[Kati Svaby]

Hello Gheon,

Here an example, from Free dictionary:
Even though he went university he always had a chip om his shoulder about his upbringing.

An explanation from the Oxford dictionary:to be sensitive about something that happened in the past and become easily offended if it is mentioned because you think that you were treated unfairly.

By: Kati