Home UK English a burr under someone's saddle

Meaning of a burr under someone's saddle in English:

a burr under someone's saddle

phrase

informal North American

  • A persistent source of irritation.

    • ‘Frankly I think the Empress was just being cranky but it irritated me all the same and the incident was still a burr under my saddle today.’
    • ‘I am moved to write you about a book review in your last issue and a closely related subject that has long been a burr under my saddle.’
    • ‘‘He has a burr under his saddle,’ I said and the boy turned around, startled.’
    • ‘Though it would be difficult for Earnhardt to admit, Gordon was the burr in his saddle.’
    • ‘Ron Sider has been a burr in the ethical saddle of the evangelical world for decades.’