ruffle

Definition

  • noun: a state or cause of irritation
  • verb: to move or lift (something) so that it is no longer smooth
  • verb: to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff
  • usually used as '(be) ruffled'
  • synonyms: commotion, roughen, trouble

Examples

  • That boy is a lot of trouble. It's a good thing his parents 'aren't' easily 'ruffled'. [=don't become upset easily]

  • His critical remarks 'ruffled some feathers'. = His critical remarks 'ruffled a few feathers'.

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

Movie quotes

  • (..) He was full of pep. Must have had his grande latte enema. Like so many others, I had become a slave to the Ikea nesting instinct. Yes. I'd like to order the Erika Pekkari dust ruffles. - Please hold. - Anything clever, like a coffee table in the shape of a yin-yang, I had to have it. (..)
    1999 Fight Club