ruffle its feathers



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

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Roald-Norwegian
GearÓId-Irish
Lois (2)LOISGalician
Abijahə-BIE-jə (English)Biblical
SharlaSHAHR-ləEnglish
Shaina-Yiddish