ruffling feathers
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- preeningGrooming with vanity
- bristlingStanding stiffly outward
- agitatingDisturbing or stirring up
annoying · provoking · irritating · disturbing · unsettling · riling · offending · upsetting · hackles · puffed · fluffing · smoothing · bird · wings · grooming · territorial · aggression · stirring
social harmony vs. provocation
ruffling featherskeeping the peace
Maintaining order and calm
pouring oil on troubled waters · making nice · mending fences · building bridges · playing it safe
challenging vs. appeasing
ruffling feathersappeasing
Pacifying through concessions
placating · mollifying · conciliating · kowtowing · brown-nosing