to get someone's back up | Speak Mango

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to get someone's back up

to annoy or irritate someone · to make someone defensive or angry

💡 What's the situation?

Ever said something completely innocent, but it just rubbed someone the wrong way? Or maybe someone's just being plain annoying? 😤 This expression is perfect for those moments when you accidentally (or intentionally 😉) make someone feel irritated, defensive, or even a little angry. It’s like their emotional fur stands on end!

💬 Learn with dialogue!

Mike, I really don't appreciate how David kept interrupting me during the meeting.

Yeah, I noticed. His comments about your project really seemed to get your back up, Sarah.

🍯 Teacher's Tip!

💡 **Fun Fact!** This idiom comes from animals (like cats or dogs) raising their fur or arching their back when they feel threatened or angry. So, when you 'get someone's back up,' you're essentially putting them on the defensive! It's usually about making someone feel annoyed or ready to argue. Use it carefully, or you might just get *their* back up!

🔥 Today's Mission!

When would you use 'to get someone's back up'? A. 🥳 When you want to compliment someone on their new haircut. B. 😠 When someone makes a rude comment that deeply irritates you. C. 🧘‍♀️ When you are calmly meditating in a quiet room.

Check Answer 👇

B

#annoyance #irritation #idiom #conflict #reaction

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English conversationDaily EnglishOne sentence a dayEnglish expressionSpeak Mangostudy EnglishEnglish learninglearn EnglishEmotional Expressionsto get someone's back up meaningto get someone's back up definition

📚 How about these expressions?

to have a sneaking suspicion

to suspect something secretly · to have an intuition about something

What's the situation?

Ever feel like something is up, but you can't quite put your finger on it? 🤔 Maybe you have a hunch about who ate the last cookie, or you suspect a secret surprise party is being planned for you! 🎉 This phrase is perfect for those gut feelings you have, especially when you think something might be true but don't have solid proof yet. It often hints at a slight negative or mischievous undertone, but can be used for positive surprises too! 🕵️‍♀️✨

to be aghast

filled with horror or shock · very dismayed

What's the situation?

This expression describes being filled with intense shock, horror, or dismay, often by something unexpected or unpleasant. Imagine discovering something truly unbelievable or appalling! 😱 It's stronger than just 'surprised' or 'shocked' and implies a deeper sense of outrage or profound disappointment.

to be turned off by something

lose interest in · find unappealing or unattractive · be discouraged by

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when something makes you lose interest or find a person/thing unappealing. 👎 It's not about being offended, but more about a strong sense of 'nope' or 'that's not for me.' For example, if someone chews loudly, you might be 'turned off' by it. 😬

to be in a whirlwind of emotions

feeling many strong, often confusing emotions at once · experiencing intense emotional turmoil

What's the situation?

Imagine getting a big promotion, graduating, and moving to a new city all in the same week! 🎉 You're excited, nervous, a little sad about leaving, and totally overwhelmed. That's when you might say you're 'in a whirlwind of emotions'. It's like your feelings are doing a chaotic dance!

to get your act together

to organize yourself and deal with your problems effectively · to become more disciplined and responsible

What's the situation?

Ever felt like your life is a beautiful mess? 😅 This expression is perfect for those moments when you (or someone else) need to buckle down, organize thoughts, and tackle challenges head-on. It’s like saying, 'Okay, time to sort things out and get serious!' 💪

to agonize over something

to worry intensely about something · to be in mental anguish over a decision

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself replaying a decision in your head a thousand times? 😫 Or maybe you're stuck between two options and just can't make up your mind? This phrase perfectly captures that intense emotional struggle. It's when you're not just thinking, but *really* suffering over a choice or a problem! 🤔💔

📚 How about these expressions?

to have a sneaking suspicion

to suspect something secretly · to have an intuition about something

What's the situation?

Ever feel like something is up, but you can't quite put your finger on it? 🤔 Maybe you have a hunch about who ate the last cookie, or you suspect a secret surprise party is being planned for you! 🎉 This phrase is perfect for those gut feelings you have, especially when you think something might be true but don't have solid proof yet. It often hints at a slight negative or mischievous undertone, but can be used for positive surprises too! 🕵️‍♀️✨

to be aghast

filled with horror or shock · very dismayed

What's the situation?

This expression describes being filled with intense shock, horror, or dismay, often by something unexpected or unpleasant. Imagine discovering something truly unbelievable or appalling! 😱 It's stronger than just 'surprised' or 'shocked' and implies a deeper sense of outrage or profound disappointment.

to be turned off by something

lose interest in · find unappealing or unattractive · be discouraged by

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when something makes you lose interest or find a person/thing unappealing. 👎 It's not about being offended, but more about a strong sense of 'nope' or 'that's not for me.' For example, if someone chews loudly, you might be 'turned off' by it. 😬

to be in a whirlwind of emotions

feeling many strong, often confusing emotions at once · experiencing intense emotional turmoil

What's the situation?

Imagine getting a big promotion, graduating, and moving to a new city all in the same week! 🎉 You're excited, nervous, a little sad about leaving, and totally overwhelmed. That's when you might say you're 'in a whirlwind of emotions'. It's like your feelings are doing a chaotic dance!

to get your act together

to organize yourself and deal with your problems effectively · to become more disciplined and responsible

What's the situation?

Ever felt like your life is a beautiful mess? 😅 This expression is perfect for those moments when you (or someone else) need to buckle down, organize thoughts, and tackle challenges head-on. It’s like saying, 'Okay, time to sort things out and get serious!' 💪

to agonize over something

to worry intensely about something · to be in mental anguish over a decision

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself replaying a decision in your head a thousand times? 😫 Or maybe you're stuck between two options and just can't make up your mind? This phrase perfectly captures that intense emotional struggle. It's when you're not just thinking, but *really* suffering over a choice or a problem! 🤔💔

to have a sneaking suspicion

to suspect something secretly · to have an intuition about something

What's the situation?

Ever feel like something is up, but you can't quite put your finger on it? 🤔 Maybe you have a hunch about who ate the last cookie, or you suspect a secret surprise party is being planned for you! 🎉 This phrase is perfect for those gut feelings you have, especially when you think something might be true but don't have solid proof yet. It often hints at a slight negative or mischievous undertone, but can be used for positive surprises too! 🕵️‍♀️✨

to be aghast

filled with horror or shock · very dismayed

What's the situation?

This expression describes being filled with intense shock, horror, or dismay, often by something unexpected or unpleasant. Imagine discovering something truly unbelievable or appalling! 😱 It's stronger than just 'surprised' or 'shocked' and implies a deeper sense of outrage or profound disappointment.

to be turned off by something

lose interest in · find unappealing or unattractive · be discouraged by

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when something makes you lose interest or find a person/thing unappealing. 👎 It's not about being offended, but more about a strong sense of 'nope' or 'that's not for me.' For example, if someone chews loudly, you might be 'turned off' by it. 😬

to be in a whirlwind of emotions

feeling many strong, often confusing emotions at once · experiencing intense emotional turmoil

What's the situation?

Imagine getting a big promotion, graduating, and moving to a new city all in the same week! 🎉 You're excited, nervous, a little sad about leaving, and totally overwhelmed. That's when you might say you're 'in a whirlwind of emotions'. It's like your feelings are doing a chaotic dance!

to get your act together

to organize yourself and deal with your problems effectively · to become more disciplined and responsible

What's the situation?

Ever felt like your life is a beautiful mess? 😅 This expression is perfect for those moments when you (or someone else) need to buckle down, organize thoughts, and tackle challenges head-on. It’s like saying, 'Okay, time to sort things out and get serious!' 💪

to agonize over something

to worry intensely about something · to be in mental anguish over a decision

What's the situation?

Ever found yourself replaying a decision in your head a thousand times? 😫 Or maybe you're stuck between two options and just can't make up your mind? This phrase perfectly captures that intense emotional struggle. It's when you're not just thinking, but *really* suffering over a choice or a problem! 🤔💔

to get someone's back up example

to annoy or irritate someone synonym

another way to say to annoy or irritate someone

alternatives to to annoy or irritate someone

to make someone defensive or angry synonym

another way to say to make someone defensive or angry

alternatives to to make someone defensive or angry