sojourn, get under someone's skin

 

The Terrorist's Sojourn in a Most Dangerous Place18

 

 

'Dreaming in Chinese'

By DEBORAH FALLOWS
Reviewed by LESLEY DOWNER

On a three-year sojourn, Deborah Fallows got under China's skin by immersing herself in its language.


get under someone's skin
1. Irritate someone, as in She really knows how to get under my skin with her nagging. This expression no doubt alludes to burrowing or stinging insects that cause itching or similar skin irritations. [Late 1800s]
2. Obsess someone or affect someone's deep feelings, as in Jean's really gotten under his skin; he misses her terribly. Cole Porter used this sense in his love song, "I've Got You Under My Skin" (1936).

sojourn

Pronunciation: /ˈsɒdʒ(ə)n, -dʒəːn/

formal

Definition of sojourn

noun

• a temporary stay:her sojourn in Rome

verb

[no object, with adverbial of place]

• stay somewhere temporarily:she had sojourned once in Egypt

Derivatives

sojourner

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French sojourner, based on Latin sub- 'under' + late Latin diurnum 'day'