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Synonyms

get a rise out of

Idioms  

  1. Elicit an angry or irritated reaction, as in His teasing always got a rise out of her. This expression alludes to the angler's dropping a fly in a likely spot in the hope that a fish will rise to this bait.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But whether that’s a contributing factor or not, it does seem he’s getting more frantic to do whatever it takes to get a rise out of people.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2025

He even managed to get a rise out of mild-mannered Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, who recently kicked him out of the chamber for heckling.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2025

Rarely if ever does one get the sense that they’re engaging in shtick to get a rise out of theatergoers.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2024

He was fond of saying things that seemed intended to get a rise out of people.

From Washington Post • Apr. 26, 2023

I’ll bet I could get a rise out of Finny with— Dr. Stanpole was fairly gabby too.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.