ruffle (one's) feathers
ruffle (one's) feathers
To annoy, irritate, or upset someone. Sarah's just teasing you. Don't let her ruffle your feathers like that! Harry's bombastic, arrogant demeanor tends to ruffle people's feathers, but he's a decent guy at heart.
See also: feather, ruffle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
ruffle someone's feathers
Fig. to irritate or annoy someone. I didn't mean to ruffle his feathers. I just thought that I would remind him of what he promised us.
See also: feather, ruffle
ruffle its feathers
[for a bird] to point its feathers outward. The bird ruffled its feathers when it was annoyed. My parrot ruffles its feathers whenever it is ready to preen itself.
See also: feather, ruffle
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
ruffle someone's feathers
Annoy or offend someone, as in Calling him a tightwad really ruffled his feathers. This term alludes to the stiffened, upright feathers of an angry bird. [Mid-1800s]
See also: feather, ruffle
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
ruffle feathers
COMMON If someone ruffles feathers, they say or do something which upsets or annoys people. His management style ruffled a few feathers. The tall Texan ruffled some English feathers with his remarks. Note: If a bird's feathers are ruffled they stand out from its body, for example because it is frightened or angry.
See also: feather, ruffle
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
ruffle someone's feathers
cause someone to become annoyed or upset.See also: feather, ruffle
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- ruffle
- ruffle feathers
- ruffle its feathers
- ruffle someone's feathers
- ruffle someone's feathers, to
- hockie
- hocky
- two jumps ahead (of someone or something)
- two jumps ahead of
- two steps ahead (of someone or something)