What does "bust one's chops" mean?
I saw this phrase in a novel. I looked it up in the dictionary but there is no such a phrase.
The full sentence in the novel is "They were busting my chops about being away from home again, even for a night."
Thanks for the help.

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Answer

It's a slang phrase that means to give someone a hard time. It's usually said after someone has harassed or annoyed you, and they say "I'm just busting your chops," meaning it's somewhat teasing though it may have a sting of truth.

Answer

It's an idiom that means "to berate, scold, or lecture".