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rattle cage

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rattle somebody's cage

to make someone angry on purpose I rattled his cage by telling him I hated his art.

Etymology: based on the idea of rattling (making a noise by repeatedly hitting) the cage to annoy the animal inside it

See also: cage, rattle

rattle somebody's cage

to make someone angry on purpose, often in order to make them seem silly She tried to rattle his cage with questions about his failed army career.

See also: cage, rattle