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
Still, with Delap — another who can ruffle feathers on the break — providing competition from the bench, Chelsea can switch up their No 9s depending on the task at hand.
—
Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025
Even something as straightforward as installing a fence can ruffle feathers if the situation isn’t treated properly.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025
While this matter may be trivial, family members not respecting how others present and share food can, over time, ruffle feathers in a household.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
While recent seasons have had pot-stirrers who manufacture fruitless drama just because (more on that for a later bracket), Irene has the goods to ruffle feathers just by being her natural self.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffle feathers
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Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025
Even something as straightforward as installing a fence can ruffle feathers if the situation isn’t treated properly.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025
While this matter may be trivial, family members not respecting how others present and share food can, over time, ruffle feathers in a household.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
While recent seasons have had pot-stirrers who manufacture fruitless drama just because (more on that for a later bracket), Irene has the goods to ruffle feathers just by being her natural self.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffle feathers
Cite this Entry
“Ruffle feathers.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruffle%20feathers. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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