Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ruffle some feathers

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.75 in modern English

Syllables: ruf-fle -some feath-ers
IPA

32

Scrabble Score

18

Letters

4

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To cause a disturbance; to arouse resentment, anger, or concern.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Any frank discussion of politics is sure to ruffle some feathers."
"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."
"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."
"Asking multiple territorial sales teams to share ideas and resources ruffled feathers."

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.

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

ruffles some feathers (present, singular) ruffling some feathers (participle, present) ruffled some feathers (participle, past) ruffled some feathers (past) ruffle a few feathers (alternative) ruffle feathers (alternative) ruffle any feathers (alternative)

Phrases

ruffle someone's feathers

Frequently Paired Words

ruffle someone's feathers

Synonyms

cause a stir make waves poke the bear

Questions

What does ruffle some feathers mean?: To cause a disturbance; to arouse resentment, anger, or concern.
Where does ruffle some feathers come from?: 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.

How to pronounce ruffle some feathers

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