ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put someone's back up

idiom
Meaning

Synonym of get someone's back up: to annoy someone.


Examples
SIMPLE

His rude comments really put my back up.

CONTEXTUAL

You should be careful with your tone, as you often put your boss's back up during meetings.

COMPLEX

The politician's condescending attitude during the debate clearly put the back up of every voter in the room.

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

    back down

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

  7. 07

    back forty

    The most remote or inaccessible part of any place.

  8. 08

    back gammon player

    A person, chiefly a homosexual, who has anal sex.

Last updated July 12, 2026