ruffle someone's feathers
To unease, cause discomfort to someone.
Sutton and David Templeton both had efforts just off target as Hearts' tactics of high-tempo, pressing football ruffled the English side's feathers.
ruffle
/ˈɹʌfəl/
verb 5noun 4
Collocations
4ADJ.
afraid, sure
VERB + RUFFLE
don't, going, heard, lace
RUFFLE + NOUN
feathers, hair, hem, woods
PREP.
in, with
Definitions
noun
1
Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.
She loved the dress with the lace ruffle at the hem.
His dress was splendid; his hands glittered with rings, his snuff-box was covered with diamonds, and his ruffles were of the finest Mechlin lace.
2
Disturbance; agitation; commotion.
to put the mind in a ruffle
3
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
4
The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.
verb
1
To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric.
Ruffle the end of the cuff.
2
To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter.
The wind ruffled the papers.
Her sudden volley of insults ruffled his composure.
3
To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
The night comes on, and the bleak winds / Do sorely ruffle.
4
To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
On his right shoulder his thick mane ', / Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.
5
To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
They would ruffle with jurors.
gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun — a noisy fight
verb — pleat or gather into a ruffle
verb — disturb the smoothness of
verb — erect or fluff up
verb — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impr
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
She loved the dress with the lace ruffle at the hem.
Wiktionary02
His dress was splendid; his hands glittered with rings, his snuff-box was covered with diamonds, and his ruffles were of the finest Mechlin lace.
Wiktionary03
Mind you, clothes were clothes in those days. […] Frills, ruffles, flounces, lace, complicated seams and gores: not only did they sweep the ground and have to be held up in one hand elegantly as you w
Wiktionary04
Ruffle the end of the cuff.
Wiktionary05
The wind ruffled the papers.
Wiktionary06
Her sudden volley of insults ruffled his composure.
WiktionaryUsage Notes
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