Don’t Get Me Started

Meaning of Idiom ‘Don’t Get Me Started’

We say “don’t get me started” when someone brings up a topic about which we have a lot to say and are passionate about, usually in a negative way. Not to be taken literally, the idiom is more of an expression of strong feelings, whether negative or positive. More often, the intent is negative and the expression is used to express exasperation or strong dislike, etc. There may an element of warning in it: If I start talking about this, I’ll never stop!

Compare: Don’t (You) Start

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Usage

The idiom can be used as a standalone exclamation. For example, if someone brings up anti-abortion laws to a friend who is adamantly opposed to them, the friend might simply say “Don’t get me started!”

However, the idiom is often used with the word “on” followed by the particular subject, or just the word “that.” Example: “Don’t get me started on abortion!”

Sometimes, the idiom is embellished, such as in the common variant, “Don’t get me started on that unless you have all day to listen to me!”

Examples Of Use

“Jim hasn’t done any work all day,” said Seth. “Don’t get me started!” replied Charlie.

“I wish the company gave us dental coverage,” said Melissa. “Oh, don’t get me started on our crappy medical plan,” said Harry.

Origin

Used since at least the late 1800’s.

More Idioms Starting with D

• Days Of Yore
• Hot Potato
• Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t
• Dot Your i’s and Cross Your t’s
• Don’t Believe Everything You Read

More Don’t Idioms

• Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t
• Don’t Believe Everything You Read
• Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels
• Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk
• Don’t You Dare
• Don’t Start

More Got/Get Idioms

• Get the Memo
• Get a Kick Out of Something
• Get Your Ducks in a Row
• Get Something Out of Your System
• Get This Show on the Road

More Start Idioms

• Don’t Start

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