student asking question

What does "wound someone up" mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Excellent question. Here the phrase "wound me up" is being used to mean that you make a clock or other device operated by turning a handle or key. In other words, you have started something. This is not a common phrase and is probably being used as the genie is from a lamp, which is a device. Ex: I have to wind the clock up because it stopped working. Ex: Oh, the watch just needed to be wound up. Actually, in British English, the phrase "wind someone up" means to annoy or upset someone. Although that is not how it is being used here. Ex: He keeps complaining and it really winds me up. Ex: She just knows how to wind me up.

Popular Q&As

04/22

Complete the expression with a quiz!