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be like a red rag to a bull

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be like a red rag to a bull

To be a willfully infuriating or aggravating provocation; to be something that incites great anger or annoyance. An allusion to matadors' practice of waving red rags at a bull during a bullfight, though in fact the color of the rag makes no difference to the animal. John's gone to gloat about his success over his brother, which is like a red rag to a bull if you ask me. You do realize that bringing your new girlfriend to your ex-wife's house is like a red rag to a bull, right?

See also: bull, like, rag, red

be like a red rag to a bull

if a statement or an action is like a red rag to a bull, it makes someone very angry

Usage notes: Some people believe that bulls become very angry when they see the colour red.

For Claire, the suggestion of a women-only committee was like a red rag to a bull.

See also: bull, like, rag, red