Dictionary

ruffle some feathers en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

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.

Meanings

1. (figuratively, informal) To cause a disturbance; to arouse resentment, anger, or concern.
   • Plainclothes vice squad detectives played the [gay] bars and waited to be propositioned, or asked out, or something, and bang! According to those old enough to remember […] the police found themselves arresting legislators, employees of the mayor's office, and even some off-duty cops. So many prominent feathers were ruffled that it was decided that Beantown's police had better tend to more important, but less personally risky, endeavors. 1976 August 28, David P. Brill, “Talking Politics”, in Gay Community News, volume 4, number 9, page 11:
   • Asking multiple territorial sales teams to share ideas and resources ruffled feathers. 2023 September 30, Hannah Murphy, “The wildest job in Silicon Valley”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 17:
   • They were all aware that there had lately been some discussion which had ruffled the feathers of the aristocracy […] He had, indeed, no wish to ruffle the feathers of gentlemen who might render assistance to them; and if he could stand between the two parties, and make peace, most happy would he be to do so. 1849, The Farmer's Magazine:
   • Any frank discussion of politics is sure to ruffle some feathers.

Forms

Relateds

ruffle someone's feathers

Synonyms

poke the bear · cause a stir · make waves