ruffle someone’s feathers: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘ruffle someone's feathers’ mean?
The idiom ruffle someone's feathers means to upset or irritate someone, causing them to become angry or annoyed.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "spit feathers" means to be extremely angry or frustrated.
Spit feathers is an idiom that means to be extremely angry or irritated. This vivid phrase conveys a strong sense of frustration and anger, and it is commonly used in American English. The image evoked by this idiom is that of a person who is so angry that they are metaphorically spitting feathers from their mouth.
The idiom "rub someone the wrong way" means to irritate or annoy someone, often due to a mismatch in personalities or preferences.
The idiom "rub in" means to emphasize or remind someone of something, often in a way that causes annoyance or embarrassment.
The idiom "reduce someone to tears" means to make someone cry or become extremely upset.
The idiom "reduce someone to tears" is a well-known expression in the English language. It is often used to describe a situation where a person becomes extremely emotional and starts crying. The phrase suggests that something has had such a profound impact on someone that their emotions have overwhelmed them to the point of tears.
The idiom "razz someone's berries" means to mock or tease someone in a playful or lighthearted manner.
The idiom "raise someone's shag" means to provoke or irritate someone, causing them to become angry or upset.
The idiom "raise someone's hackles" means to make someone very angry or annoyed.
The idiom "raise hell" means to cause a disturbance or make a lot of noise and trouble, typically to express anger or frustration.
The idiom "raise eyebrows" means to cause surprise, curiosity, or disapproval. It suggests that something is unexpected or unusual, often leading others to question or doubt the situation or action.
The idiom "rain on one's parade" means to spoil or dampen someone's excitement or joyous occasion by introducing something negative or disappointing.
Feathered Fracas
The idiom "ruffle someone's feathers" is a commonly used expression in the English language. It is often used to describe an action or behavior that upsets or annoys someone, causing them to become agitated or irritated. The term "ruffle" refers to the act of disturbing or disrupting the smoothness or order of something, while "feathers" symbolize an individual's composure or state of calmness.
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the behavior observed in birds. When birds, such as chickens, are approached or bothered, they often exhibit a physical response by ruffling their feathers. This instinctive reaction serves as a defense mechanism to appear larger and more threatening to potential predators. Over time, this natural behavior has been metaphorically extended to human reactions and emotions.
The phrase "ruffle someone's feathers" is commonly used in informal conversations and written contexts. It can be found in a wide range of situations, from everyday conversations to more formal settings. Its figurative nature makes it a versatile expression, applicable to various situations where someone's peace or calmness is disrupted.
Understanding the meaning of this idiom is crucial in interpreting the intended message of the speaker or writer. When someone uses this expression, they are implying that a certain action, comment, or behavior has caused annoyance or disturbance to another person, leading to a disruption of their equilibrium or composure.
One related idiom that shares a similar meaning to "ruffle someone's feathers" is "raise someone's hackles". This expression is often used to describe a situation where someone becomes instantly angry or defensive. The term "hackles" refers to the hairs along the back of an animal's neck that stand on end when it feels threatened or provoked. Similarly, when someone's hackles are raised, it indicates that they feel provoked or antagonized, resulting in a defensive or angry reaction.
Another related idiom is "get someone's dander up". Similar to "ruffle someone's feathers", this expression implies that someone has become irritated or angered by a particular action or comment. The term "dander" refers to tiny particles of dust or skin that are shed by humans and animals. When someone's dander is up, it suggests that they have become agitated or upset, much like a shedding of emotional particles in response to a perceived threat or annoyance.
Lastly, there is the idiom "spit feathers". This expression is less commonly used but shares a similar meaning to the previous idioms. When someone is said to "spit feathers", it means they are extremely angry, typically as a result of being provoked or upset. The term "spit feathers" conveys a sense of intense anger or frustration, emphasizing the strong emotional response that someone may have when their calmness or composure is disrupted.
As language and expressions continue to evolve, there will always be new idioms to explore and dissect, keeping the intricacies of human communication intriguing and ever-evolving.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "ruffle someone's feathers" can be used in a sentence:
- Her sarcastic remarks really ruffled my friend's feathers at the party.
- The new company policies have been ruffling a lot of employees' feathers.
- The politician's controversial statement is bound to ruffle some feathers among his supporters.
More "Emotions" idioms
