B1 Expression Informal

Sacar de quicio

To exasperate / To drive crazy

Significado

To annoy or irritate someone to the point of losing their patience.

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Contexto cultural

In Spain, the phrase is often accompanied by a specific gesture: bringing the hand to the forehead or making a 'pinching' motion in the air to show tension. While 'sacar de quicio' is common, Mexicans might also use 'me saca de mis casillas' or 'me saca el tapón' (it takes my plug out) for similar levels of anger. Argentines often use 'sacar' in many idiomatic ways. 'Me saca' can sometimes be used alone as shorthand for 'it drives me crazy' in very informal slang. The phrase is a staple in Telenovelas, used by villains and protagonists alike to express the peak of a conflict.

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Use with 'Me'

90% of the time, you will use this with 'me' (Me saca de quicio). Focus on mastering this form first.

⚠️

Strong Emotion

This is a strong phrase. Don't use it for small things unless you are being hyperbolic/funny.

Significado

To annoy or irritate someone to the point of losing their patience.

💡

Use with 'Me'

90% of the time, you will use this with 'me' (Me saca de quicio). Focus on mastering this form first.

⚠️

Strong Emotion

This is a strong phrase. Don't use it for small things unless you are being hyperbolic/funny.

🎯

Subjunctive Trigger

Phrases like 'Me saca de quicio que...' always trigger the subjunctive mood in the following verb.

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Regional Sounds

Remember the 's' vs 'th' sound for 'quicio' depending on where you are!

Teste-se

Fill in the missing pronoun and verb form.

A mi hermana ___ (me/te/le) _______ (sacar) de quicio que yo use su ropa.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: le saca

The subject is 'que yo use su ropa' (singular), and the person being annoyed is 'mi hermana' (le).

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Choose the correct option:

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Me sacas de quicio con tus gritos.

The correct preposition is always 'de'.

Match the situation to the most likely reaction.

Your computer deletes your work for the third time today.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Esto me saca de quicio.

Repeated technical failure is a prime cause for being 'sacado de quicio'.

Complete the dialogue.

Juan: '¿Por qué estás tan enfadado?' María: 'Es que el vecino lleva todo el día con el taladro y...'

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: ...me saca de quicio.

The phrase 'me saca de quicio' perfectly completes the expression of frustration.

🎉 Pontuação: /4

Recursos visuais

Levels of Annoyance

Low
Molestar To bother
High
Sacar de quicio To drive crazy
Extreme
Hacer perder los estribos To lose control

Banco de exercicios

4 exercicios
Fill in the missing pronoun and verb form. Fill Blank B1

A mi hermana ___ (me/te/le) _______ (sacar) de quicio que yo use su ropa.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: le saca

The subject is 'que yo use su ropa' (singular), and the person being annoyed is 'mi hermana' (le).

Which sentence is grammatically correct? Choose A2

Choose the correct option:

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Me sacas de quicio con tus gritos.

The correct preposition is always 'de'.

Match the situation to the most likely reaction. situation_matching A2

Your computer deletes your work for the third time today.

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: Esto me saca de quicio.

Repeated technical failure is a prime cause for being 'sacado de quicio'.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

Juan: '¿Por qué estás tan enfadado?' María: 'Es que el vecino lleva todo el día con el taladro y...'

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: ...me saca de quicio.

The phrase 'me saca de quicio' perfectly completes the expression of frustration.

🎉 Pontuação: /4

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It's not 'bad language,' but it is very direct. It's fine with friends, but use caution with your boss.

Yes, but usually we say 'Me estoy sacando de quicio' (I'm driving myself crazy), though it's less common than others doing it to you.

It's the part of the door frame where the hinge sits. Think of it as the 'socket' for the door.

No, 'quicio' is always singular in this idiom.

'Enojar' is the verb 'to anger.' 'Sacar de quicio' is the idiom 'to drive crazy with anger.' The idiom is more descriptive.

It's better to use 'exasperar' or 'provocar una gran irritación' in formal writing.

Yes! 'Este teléfono me saca de quicio' is very common.

You could say 'Me molesta un poco' or 'Me resulta un tanto irritante.'

Exactly this: 'Me estás sacando de quicio.'

Yes, it is universally understood from Spain to Argentina.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Sacar de las casillas

synonym

To drive someone crazy.

🔗

Poner de los nervios

similar

To make someone nervous or irritated.

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Hacer perder los estribos

similar

To make someone lose their temper.

🔗

Tocar las narices

informal alternative

To annoy someone.

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