get/put somebody's back up

get (one's) back up

To become or cause to become angry, hostile, defensive, or irritable. John got his back up when his parents brought up the subject of college. Election season always gets my dad's back up.
See also: back, get, up

put (one's) back up

To be or become angry, hostile, defensive, defiant, or irritable, or to instill such a feeling in someone else. John put his back up when his parents brought up the subject of college. Election season always puts my dad's back up.
See also: back, put, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get/put somebody’s ˈback up

make somebody annoyed: His silly remarks always get her back up.
This idiom refers to the way cats arch their backs when they are angry.
See also: back, get, put, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • get (one's) back up
  • get someone's back up
  • have (one's) back up
  • have back up
  • get back up
  • Irish
  • get (one's) Irish up
  • get (one's) hackles up
  • get hackles up
  • addict (one) to (something)