ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get someone's back up

idiom
Meaning

To annoy or anger someone.


Examples
SIMPLE

Don't say that, you will get his back up.

CONTEXTUAL

She tried to offer helpful advice, but her tone really got his back up.

COMPLEX

His constant interruptions during the meeting clearly got the manager's back up, leading to a very tense and unproductive discussion.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all the way to Egery and back

    The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.

  2. 02

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  3. 03

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  5. 05

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  6. 06

    as it gets

    As it is possible to be.

  7. 07

    back down

    To take a less aggressive position in a conflict than one previously had, or has planned to have.

  8. 08

    back forty

    The most remote or inaccessible part of any place.

Last updated July 12, 2026