ruffle feathers

idiom

informal

: to upset or offend people

Her research has been ruffling feathers for years.

His critical remarks ruffled the feathers of the board members.

I agreed to do what they wanted because I didn't want to ruffle any feathers.

Examples of ruffle feathers in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Miami always has the option to place the franchise tag on Tagovailoa for up to two years that follow this fifth season, but that would only further ruffle feathers. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2024

In this approach, an individual actively tries to ruffle feathers or make things worse due to feelings of being wronged or vengeance. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

But that practice can ruffle feathers with the owners of masters, and has led to disputes in the past. —Bill Donahue, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024

But yeah, something that was earnest was just something that was gonna ruffle feathers of that, like, 20-something city crowd. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 6 June 2023