ruffle someone's feathers
Get them agitated
To ruffle someone's feathers is to annoy or upset them, especially by challenging their composure or dignity.
The image comes from birds whose feathers stand up when agitated: I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers with my comments.
Often appears in the negative: Don't let it ruffle your feathers.
- get under someone's skinAnnoy or affect deeply
- rock the boatDisturb a stable situation
- upset the apple cartDisrupt established order
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- annoyanceState of being bothered
rub the wrong way · stir the pot · push someone's buttons · get a rise out of · argument · irritation · step on someone's toes · discord · frustration · indignation · hit a nerve · touch a nerve · cause a stir · provocation · confrontation · fuming · grumbling · agitation
ruffle someone's featherspour oil on troubled waters
Calm a tense situation
smooth someone's feathers · keep the peace · make nice · butter someone up · patch things up
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