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
Despite the people involved in the NFL games seemingly being OK with it, the potentially conflicting nature of his broadcasting job and his ownership stake could continue to ruffle feathers as the season goes on.
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Ben Morse, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ruffle feathers
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Ben Morse, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025
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
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 1 Oct. 2025.
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