bridle up
Show sudden indignation
To bridle up is to show sudden indignation or offense, like a horse throwing its head back when the reins are pulled.
The phrase captures that moment of stiffening resistance: She bridled up at the suggestion that she'd been careless.
Sometimes shortened to just bridle: He bridled at the criticism.
- reinBit-attached control strap
- curbRaised road margin
- checkOrder to pay
- hold backPrevent forward movement
- subdueBring under control
bit · suppress · offense · indignation · take umbrage · provocation · pride · umbrage · wounded pride · tense · dignity · defensiveness · rear · hackles · bristle · stiffen · irritation · recoil
emotional response to offense
bridle upshrug off
Dismiss as unimportant
brush off · turn the other cheek · let it go · roll with the punches · keep one's cool