cramp my style (expression)
2017.02.15
Meaning:
‘Cramp my style’ means ‘to prevent me from being free & having fun’. It has a negative nuance. In this case, ‘my style’ means ‘my personality’ and ‘cramp’ means tighten or squeeze painfully. I can use this expression when I want to tell someone close (eg husband, mother) to go away. For example, ‘Stop watching me play the piano! You’re cramping my style!’ We can also use this expression politely if we say, ‘I don’t want to cramp your style’.
Example:
2 Example(s) of a conversation between a man and woman (a couple):
W: I’m meeting the girls tonight. Would you like to come?
M: That’s ok. I don’t want to cramp your style.
W: Please come. They’d really love to see you.
W: I’m meeting the girls tonight. Would you like to come?
M: That’s ok. I don’t want to cramp your style.
W: Ok. Why don’t you have a night out with the guys?
Talking Point(s):
Does anyone cramp your style at parties?