get someone's dander up
Make someone angry
To get someone's dander up is to make them angry or irritated.
The phrase suggests provoking a visible rise in agitation: That kind of talk really gets my dander up.
Dander may refer to animal hair or dandruff—the image being of hackles rising—though the origin is uncertain.
The expression is somewhat old-fashioned but still current.
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- provocationAct that triggers response
- hit a nerveTrigger emotional sensitivity
- insultOffensive remark or action
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
fighting words · argument · vexation · stir the pot · frustration · disrespect · resentment · indignation · annoyance · criticism · exasperation · short fuse · confrontation · impatience · wound up · fly off the handle · lose one's temper · retort
get someone's dander upcalm down
Become less agitated
soothe · pacify · settle down · put at ease · tranquilize
get someone's dander upappease
Satisfy to restore calm
placate · mollify · pour oil on troubled waters · make peace · conciliate