make somebody's hackles rise

make (someone's) hackles rise

To greatly irritate, annoy, or aggravate someone. The disrespect he showed our professor during class made my hackles rise so badly that I had to go take a walk to calm down. The politician has a gift for making his opponents' hackles rise during debates.

See also: hackle, make, rise

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

make somebody’s ˈhackles rise

,

raise ˈhackles

make somebody angry: He really makes my hackles rise, that man. He’s so rude to everybody. ♢ Her remarks certainly raised hackles.

Hackles are the hairs on the back of a dog’s neck that rise when it is angry or excited.

See also: hackle, make, rise

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017