ruffle someone's feathers



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

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
ErnoER-noFinnish
AnniceAN-isEnglish
Candida['kændidiə]
Yang-Chinese
Uzzielə-ZIE-əl (English), UZ-ee-əl (English)Biblical, Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew
OphÉLieo-fe-LEEFrench