get someone's Irish up en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From a supposed propensity of Irish people to be easily and severely angered.
Meanings
-
(qualifier:potentially offensive) To anger or annoy someone.
"It's so crazy I've got to believe they're either paranoid or trying to get his Irish up so he will run [and split the anti-Carter vote in the primaries]. My guess is it's paranoia."
1979, David Garth, New York Magazine, page 14:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| gets someone's Irish up | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| got someone's Irish up | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | UK | lexicographic |
| got someone's Irish up | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| getting someone's Irish up | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| gotten someone's Irish up | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | US | lexicographic |