Chip on Shoulder
Noun · Hacker Culture
Definitions
An idiom describing someone who seems defensive, resentful, or eager to prove themselves because of a perceived slight or insecurity. In workplace culture it often shows up in status dynamics, team conflict, and overcompensating behavior.
In plain English: A defensive attitude shaped by resentment or something to prove.
Example: "He brought a chip on his shoulder to every architecture discussion, as if each disagreement were proof that the org still underestimated him."