# get someone's back up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-someones-back-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To annoy or anger someone.

## Examples

- Don't say that, you will get his back up.
- She tried to offer helpful advice, but her tone really got his back up.
- His constant interruptions during the meeting clearly got the manager's back up, leading to a very tense and unproductive discussion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.