get one's back up
- bristleCoarse animal hair
- hacklesErectile neck feathers
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
- offendedFeeling hurt or disrespected
riled · provoked · annoyed · prickly · touchy · agitated · hostile · indignant · huffy · miffed · testy · snappy · resentful · wound up · fur · cat · arched · stiff
emotional reactivity
get one's back upstay calm
Remain unruffled
keep one's cool · shrug off · calm down · relax · roll with the punches
interpersonal stance
get one's back upwarm up to
Gradually become fond of
let one's guard down · open up · soften · embrace · make peace