put someone’s back up: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘put someone's back up’ mean?
The idiom "put someone's back up" means to annoy or irritate someone, often causing them to become defensive or confrontational.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "stick it to" means to take revenge or get back at someone by giving them a difficult or unpleasant experience. It implies confronting and defeating someone in a confrontational or powerful manner.
The idiom "save someone's skin" means to rescue or protect someone from danger or harm.
The idiom "save someone's face" means to protect someone's reputation or dignity by preventing them from feeling embarrassment or humiliation.
The idiom "rub someone the wrong way" means to irritate or annoy someone, often due to a mismatch in personalities or preferences.
The idiom "row back" means to retract or reverse a previous decision, statement, or action.
The idiom "raise someone's hackles" means to make someone very angry or annoyed.
The idiom "put the boot in" means to physically or metaphorically attack or criticize someone, especially when they are already down or vulnerable. It implies delivering additional blows or insults to worsen their situation.
The idiom "put someone in their place" means to assert one's authority or dominance over someone, often by reminding them of their lower status or making them feel inferior.
The idiom "put one's foot up someone's ass" is a metaphorical expression that means to forcefully or aggressively confront or punish someone for their actions or behavior.
Hidden Trigger
The idiom *put someone's back up* is a commonly used phrase in English, specifically in the United States. This idiomatic expression has a specific meaning and usage that has been widely documented and discussed on various sources on the internet.
One fact about the idiom *put someone's back up* is that it is used to describe a situation where someone becomes irritated, angry, or defensive. The idiom suggests that something has caused a person to have their back figuratively raised, indicating a defensive posture.
An example of this idiom in use would be a scenario where one person says something offensive or insulting to another person, causing the latter person to become angry or defensive. In this case, it could be said that the first person's comment *put the other person's back up*.
Furthermore, the idiom can be used in various contexts, such as in personal relationships, professional settings, or even in casual conversations. It is a versatile expression that can capture the essence of someone's negative emotional reaction.
The origin of the idiom *put someone's back up* is not explicitly known, as the etymology and exact history of idioms can often be elusive. However, it is believed to originate from the physical response of animals when they feel threatened or provoked. When an animal feels danger approaching, it will arch its back, raising the hair along its spine, in a defensive stance. This natural reaction has been metaphorically applied to human reactions, giving rise to the idiom's use in describing a defensive or angry response.
The idiom *put someone's back up* signifies a state of irritation, anger, or defensiveness. It is often used in everyday conversations and can apply to various situations. While the exact origin of the idiom is not known, it is believed to draw from the defensive postures of animals when they sense danger. This idiom provides a colorful and expressive way to describe human emotional reactions. Its usage in the English language continues to be prevalent, showcasing how idioms bring depth and imagery to our conversations.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom put someone's back up can be used in a sentence:
- Her constant criticism really puts his back up.
- His dismissive attitude towards her work always puts her back up.
- The disrespectful comment made by the colleague put the boss's back up.
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