put (one's/someone's) back up



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put (one's/someone'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

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
WendaWEN-dəEnglish (Rare)
Alkaios-Ancient Greek
DaleDAY-əl, DAYLEnglish
Nanaminah-nah-meeJapanese
Balster['bælstə]
Fidelia[fi'di:ljə]