ruffle some feathers
Irritate certain people
To ruffle some feathers is to annoy or upset people, especially by challenging the status quo or disrupting comfortable arrangements.
The image comes from birds whose smoothed plumage becomes disordered when agitated: Her proposal to cut the budget is going to ruffle some feathers.
The phrase often implies the disruption is minor or that those upset are being oversensitive.
- make wavesCause a disturbance
- poke the bearAntagonize a powerful adversary
- pick a fightIntentionally provoke a quarrel
- annoyCause mild irritation
- agitateDisturb or provoke
antagonize · upset · irritate · get under skin · controversy · disrupt · dissent · protest · friction · confrontation · discord · offend · cross the line · cause a stir · cause trouble · provoke · disturb · perturb
ruffle some featherskeep the peace
Prevent discord or conflict
pour oil on troubled waters · peacemaking · make peace · calm the waters · build bridges
ruffle some feathersplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
toe the line · bite one's tongue · walk on eggshells · keep one's head down · pull one's punches
ruffle, ruffled, ruffling, ruffles, feather, feathers, feathered, feathering, feathery