ruffle some feathers

verb

Etymology

Evoking the image of roosters, who ruffle their neck feathers when threatened. OED's earliest attestation is from 1829. Perhaps a variant of an earlier phrase "ruffle the tempers", attested since at least 1722.

Definitions

  1. To cause a disturbance

    To cause a disturbance; to arouse resentment, anger, or concern.

    • Any frank discussion of politics is sure to ruffle some feathers.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA