WordVale

ruffle feathers

to annoy or upset people

In Headline Expressions

In more detail

(idiom) to upset or annoy someone; to make someone feel offended or irritated

Examples

• His critical comments ruffled feathers among the team members.

How to use ruffle feathers

This idiom describes causing someone minor offense or irritation, often unintentionally. It suggests wounded pride or wounded sensibilities rather than deep anger, and is commonly used in social or professional contexts where harmony is important. The image derives from birds puffing up their feathers when agitated.

Register: informal

Common phrases

• ruffle someone's feathers
• ruffle a few feathers
• ruffle feathers deliberately
• don't ruffle feathers
• ruffle feathers unintentionally

Synonyms

upset · annoy · irritate · offend · disturb

Opposites

please · delight · calm

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use this with an object other than a person (e.g., 'ruffle feathers of the situation') rather than understanding it refers specifically to making someone upset.

Nearby in Headline Expressions

a step change, a U-turn, a war of words, the jury is still out, fly under the radar, blindsided

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained