Learn English – It’s the nerves vs. It’s getting on the nerves

meaning

What is the difference between:

It is my nerves

and:

It is getting on my nerves

Are they alike? In what situation do we use the first one and second one? Can I use one instead of the other?

Best Answer

It's getting on my nerves is the more idiomatic expression of the two. It means that something is very annoying and is driving me mad. The sound of that baby screaming is getting on my nerves.

It's my nerves could be used in many different situations, including to indicate that something was annoying. But it could be used in a lot of other contexts too. Watching someone climbing to a dangerous height, for example, might cause you to say I can't watch that any longer, it's my nerves. Or I have to see the doctor - it's my nerves, meaning that you had some sort of nervous problem.

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