ruffle some feathers

present singular third person ruffles some feathers · participle present ruffling some feathers · participle past ruffled some feathers · past ruffled some feathers · alternative ruffle a few feathers · alternative ruffle feathers · alternative ruffle any feathers

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

   Any frank discussion of politics is sure to ruffle some feathers.

   3 more examples

   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.

   1849, The Farmer's Magazine

   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.

   1976 August 28, David P. Brill, “Talking Politics”, in Gay Community News, volume 4, number 9, page 11

   Asking multiple territorial sales teams to share ideas and resources ruffled feathers.

   2023 September 30, Hannah Murphy, “The wildest job in Silicon Valley”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 17

   Synonyms: cause a stir, make waves, poke the bear