hackles

British  

/ ˈhækəlz /

plural noun

1. the hairs on the back of the neck and the back of a dog, cat, etc, which rise when the animal is angry or afraid

2. anger or resentment (esp in the phrases get one's hackles up, make one's hackles rise )

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hackles Idioms  

1. see raise someone's hackles.

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Explanation

If that mean-looking doggie has his back arched, teeth bared and the hairs on the back of his neck are standing up straight, walk away slowly. You've raised his hackles, or instilled a feeling of anger. In the technical sense, hackles are the hairs or feathers that grow right at the back of an animal's neck. You know, the things that spike up on a scared cat or angry rooster. But in the human world, raising someone's hackles means you've made them boiling mad or super annoyed. For example, spitting spit balls while the teacher isn't looking is sure to raise her hackles. And land you in detention.

Example Sentences

Hackles unreasonably raised, Eli will continue for a while to beat that drum.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2024

Hackles were raised by reports that he had enjoyed a post-tournament holiday in America, before flying home to Ecuador and buying a luxury car.

From The Guardian • May 21, 2018

Guiding such frail missiles as Royal Coachmen and Grey Hackles, NATO's General Lauris Norstad fished a chill, rushing trout stream in the Salzburg Alps, put in a four-day vacation near Hitler's old aerie at Berchtesgaden.

From Time Magazine Archive

A few flies like the "Montreal," "Professor," "Scarlet Ibis," "Coachman," and "the Hackles," are to be found in almost every angler's book.

From St. Nicholas v. 13 No. 9 July 1886 an Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks by Various

Hackles for the dry fly must be stiff with very little or no web.

From How to Tie Flies by Gregg, Ellery Clark