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Difference between Set one’s teeth and Set someone’s teeth on edge

admin Confusing Phrases

set one’s teeth—show deep resolution in the face of pain, opposition, etc.:

  • Erik set his teeth when the memories came flooding back, bursting their hastily constructed dams.

set someone’s teeth on edge—said of smth. extremely unpleasant getting on a person’s nerves:

  • The sight of that man eating with his knife sets my teeth on edge.