a phrase that originally described indirect acts of aggression that either could not be traced to the actor or that could be ascribed to a benign, non-spiteful motivation. Once the phrase entered the popular lexicon, it has come to describe any action or inaction that the speaker dislikes but which the speaker cannot explain why the action is unjust or otherwise wrong.
The following are examples of passive aggressive behavior.
1. My lab mate did not like my not obeying his every wish, so he got back at me by sabotaging my experiments.
2. She was angry at me for declining her date invitation so, at the party, she bumped my glass spilling wine on my shirt and said that it was an accident.
The following is an example of how "passive aggressive" has come to be used in the popular lexicon.
Person 1: "OMG, he like totally refuses to put the toilet seat down after he uses it, and then he gives me dirty looks when I tell him he needs to do that."
Person 2: "Is it any more effort for you to put the toilet seat down than it is for him to put the toilet seat up to avoid peeing all over it?"
Person 1: "He's just so passive aggressive."
1. My lab mate did not like my not obeying his every wish, so he got back at me by sabotaging my experiments.
2. She was angry at me for declining her date invitation so, at the party, she bumped my glass spilling wine on my shirt and said that it was an accident.
The following is an example of how "passive aggressive" has come to be used in the popular lexicon.
Person 1: "OMG, he like totally refuses to put the toilet seat down after he uses it, and then he gives me dirty looks when I tell him he needs to do that."
Person 2: "Is it any more effort for you to put the toilet seat down than it is for him to put the toilet seat up to avoid peeing all over it?"
Person 1: "He's just so passive aggressive."
by gentimental April 14, 2011
Get the passive aggressivemug. One who places an empty bowl of candy on the porch on Halloween.
Important Note: This is only considered spiteful, not passive-aggressive, unless the bowl is accompanied by a sign which reads, "Please take one"
Important Note: This is only considered spiteful, not passive-aggressive, unless the bowl is accompanied by a sign which reads, "Please take one"
I'm not going to place an example, but I am going to put out an empty bowl of candy with a sign that says, "Please take one." Why? Well, for one thing, it's pretty self-explanatory. But more importatnly, I'm passive-aggressive.
by hehehe666 October 30, 2005
Get the Passive-aggressivemug. An adjective used to describe hiding aggressive intentions and actions with seemingly non aggressive intentions and actions.
An often misused and misunderstood term.
An often misused and misunderstood term.
Mike- "Hey Rob can you help me paint the bathroom"?
Rob- "Sure Mike. I'd love to".
If Rob intentionally did a sloppy job because he didn't like Mike or didn't want to paint, it would be passive aggressive.
Rob- "Sure Mike. I'd love to".
If Rob intentionally did a sloppy job because he didn't like Mike or didn't want to paint, it would be passive aggressive.
by nostawk March 15, 2010
Get the Passive aggressivemug. A defense mechanism that allows people who aren't comfortable being openly aggressive get what they want under the guise of still trying to please others. They want their way, but they also want everyone to still like them.
Jane: It's time to go, we really should get going now.
Passive Aggressive Ann: Oh...okay. I just...well okay, I GUESS we can leave now.
Jane: Ann, do you want to stay? Is that what you're trying to get at?
Passive Aggressive Ann: Huh? Oh no, we can leave if YOU want. I just didn't get to do everything I wanted to do yet, but no no, we can go I guess.
Jane: God dammit Ann! Fine, we'll stay, are you happy?
Passive Aggressive Ann: Oh okay! Yeah! That sounds great too!
(Ann got her way without having to openly ask for it)
Passive Aggressive Ann: Oh...okay. I just...well okay, I GUESS we can leave now.
Jane: Ann, do you want to stay? Is that what you're trying to get at?
Passive Aggressive Ann: Huh? Oh no, we can leave if YOU want. I just didn't get to do everything I wanted to do yet, but no no, we can go I guess.
Jane: God dammit Ann! Fine, we'll stay, are you happy?
Passive Aggressive Ann: Oh okay! Yeah! That sounds great too!
(Ann got her way without having to openly ask for it)
by Miltonation December 9, 2008
Get the passive aggressivemug. 1. A short sleep which you will let NOTHING stand in the way of. Usually done by a person who works more than five days in a row in a given week or works multiple jobs.
2. When you nap so hard that you beat the crap out of that nap.
2. When you nap so hard that you beat the crap out of that nap.
by EnniferJay August 16, 2014
Get the aggressive nappingmug. When an angry person perceives repeated events occurring (real or not), and complains aggressively about it. Can be used in vague units "multiple times, many times," or in specific numerical units. Pissed-off people often use the verbal attack when they don't get what they want, (or get what they don't want). It can also be used out of desperation to try to belittle or undermine their victim's intelligence.
POP = Pissed-off person
Scenario A:
POP: I have ASKED you nicely three times already to go take this document to the main office, IDIOT!!!!
Victim: If you pull any of this aggressive-quantifying crap on me, you can forget about having me do it. Besides, you look fit enough to do it yourself.
Scenario B:
Victim: So was this what you meant by this?
POP: ***angry sigh*** YES. I SAID that FIVE MINUTES ago.
Victim: What, so you're now a stopwatch, Miss Aggressive-Quantifier? Are you saying I'm stupid for asking a request?
Scenario C:
POP: Oh my GAWD, you had SEVEN freaking chances to say hi to him. He won't know you if you don't talk to him.
Victim: I would, but your aggressive-quantifying is doing nothing to help me.
Scenario D:
Victim: You mind giving me that list?
POP: I gave you the list multiple times, moron!
Victim: I was just asking kindly. You don't need to aggressively-quantify any trivial things!
Scenario E:
Victim: **Paints picture with grace**
POP:***Yanks art tools from painter, then ruins it.*** There. It shouldn't take you more than FIFTEEN MINUTES to finish this painting.
Victim: What the hell is wrong with you? You ruined my artwork, aggressive-quantifier!!
Scenario A:
POP: I have ASKED you nicely three times already to go take this document to the main office, IDIOT!!!!
Victim: If you pull any of this aggressive-quantifying crap on me, you can forget about having me do it. Besides, you look fit enough to do it yourself.
Scenario B:
Victim: So was this what you meant by this?
POP: ***angry sigh*** YES. I SAID that FIVE MINUTES ago.
Victim: What, so you're now a stopwatch, Miss Aggressive-Quantifier? Are you saying I'm stupid for asking a request?
Scenario C:
POP: Oh my GAWD, you had SEVEN freaking chances to say hi to him. He won't know you if you don't talk to him.
Victim: I would, but your aggressive-quantifying is doing nothing to help me.
Scenario D:
Victim: You mind giving me that list?
POP: I gave you the list multiple times, moron!
Victim: I was just asking kindly. You don't need to aggressively-quantify any trivial things!
Scenario E:
Victim: **Paints picture with grace**
POP:***Yanks art tools from painter, then ruins it.*** There. It shouldn't take you more than FIFTEEN MINUTES to finish this painting.
Victim: What the hell is wrong with you? You ruined my artwork, aggressive-quantifier!!
by Playrr May 10, 2020
Get the Aggressive-Quantifyingmug. A volleyball player who plays in the setting position at the net. They dump and slam a lot more than required. Highly aggressive, makes risky plays, and is sometimes (most of the time) a monke.
by Aquasseilia February 10, 2021
Get the aggressive settermug.