get a rise out of

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

When we would show the movie, the scene would always get a rise out of people.

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Last week, a five-hour-long televised memorial service was held for Charlie Kirk, the late hatemonger whose “debate me” platform was designed to get a rise out of his ideological opponents and energize his growing conservative following.

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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.

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But even though President Trump didn't manage to get a rise out of the South African president, that does not mean his efforts over more than an hour were in vain; they certainly were not.

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

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Related Words

• annoy 
• arouse 
• displease 
• excite 
• gall 
• galvanize 
• ignite 
• incense 
• irk 
• irritate 
• kindle 
• offend 
• rile 
• stimulate 
• whet