Cool MateBother vs Get on my ass
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Bother
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Get on my ass
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: BotherMost common: Bother
| Bother | Get on my ass | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbɒðə(r)/","/ˈbɒðəz/","/ˈbɒðəd/","/ˈbɒðərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbɑːðər/","/ˈbɑːðərz/","/ˈbɑːðərd/","/ˈbɑːðərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛt ɒn maɪ ɑːs//🇺🇸 //ɡɛt ɑn maɪ æs// |
| Meaning | to trouble or annoy someone | To criticize or bother someone about something. |
| Example | I didn't mean to bother you while you were working. | My boss keeps getting on my ass about the project deadline. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | don’t bother, bother someone, bother with, bother about, bother to | get on someone's back, get on someone's nerves, get on someone's case |
| Antonyms | ignore, assist, help | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'bother' without an object, e.g., 'He bothers' instead of 'He bothers me.', Confusing 'bother' with 'disturb' which has a stronger connotation., Wrongly using 'bother' in positive contexts, like saying 'I don't want to bother you' when wanting to engage. | Confused about using 'get on' with a possessive form ('my ass' instead of 'me')., 'On my ass' misused in serious contexts where a formal tone is expected. |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation to express annoyance or concern. More common in informal situations and may feel too blunt in formal contexts. | This phrase is informal and often used in casual conversations. It may be considered impolite, so avoid it in formal settings or with people you don't know well. |
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Frequently asked questions: Bother vs Get on my ass
What's the difference between Bother and Get on my ass?
Bother: to trouble or annoy someone Get on my ass: To criticize or bother someone about something.
Which is more formal: Bother and Get on my ass?
Bother is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Bother and Get on my ass?
Bother is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Bother: I didn't mean to bother you while you were working. Get on my ass: My boss keeps getting on my ass about the project deadline.
Can I use Bother and Get on my ass interchangeably?
Not always. Bother and Get on my ass are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.