raised someone's hackles
Stirred up anger
To raise someone's hackles is to provoke their anger or irritation.
Hackles are the hairs on an animal's neck that stand up when it feels threatened—a dog's hackles rise when it encounters a rival.
The phrase transfers this bristling response to humans: His condescending tone raised her hackles.
Something that raises hackles provokes defensive hostility.
- bristleCoarse animal hair
- ruffle feathersTo annoy or disturb
- stiffenBecome less pliable
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- blood boilingState of extreme fury
provoke · frustration · annoyance · get under skin · vexation · exasperation · push buttons · goosebumps · resentment · antagonize · get a rise · outrage · irritate · hostility · offend · tense · flare-up · indignation
raised someone's hacklescalmed
Made tranquil
soothed · put at ease · reassured · pacified · placated
raised someone's hacklesdisarmed
Made safe or captivated
won over · charmed · broke the ice · ingratiated · conciliated