push someone's buttons
Trigger someone intentionally
To push someone's buttons is to provoke a strong emotional reaction, usually anger or irritation, by targeting their known sensitivities: He knows exactly how to push my buttons.
The image is of operating a control panel—find the right button and you trigger a predictable response.
Sometimes used positively for arousal or excitement, but the negative sense dominates.
annoy
Cause mild irritation
peeve · bother · exasperate · grate · rankle · nettle · rile · pester · needle · nag
goad
Incite to action
needle · incite · rouse · stir up · egg on · inflame · agitate · antagonize · set off · spark
exploit
Notable act or abuse
play · maneuver · coerce · pressure · use · work · handle · string along · take advantage · toy with
push someone's buttonstread carefully
Move with deliberate caution
handle with care · leave well enough alone · let sleeping dogs lie · handle with kid gloves · walk on eggshells
push someone's buttonskeep the peace
Prevent discord or conflict
de-escalate · bury the hatchet · build bridges · clear the air · bite one's tongue
pushes, pushed, pushing, pusher, pushers, pushiness, someone, button, buttons