hackles
Britishplural noun
-
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
-
anger or resentment (esp in the phrases get one's hackles up, make one's hackles rise )
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.
Vocabulary lists containing hackles
Their Eyes Were Watching God
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The Grapes of Wrath
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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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.
When you’ve been friends for a long time, inevitably you’ve seen their hackles rise in certain situations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Brennan began to ask if Ross was back on the street and working in Minneapolis when Noem got her hackles up.
From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026
Clooney's newly acquired citizenship has also raised hackles in France.
From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025
Human rights groups and a smattering of legal experts have raised their hackles too.
From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025
The good dogs came stiffly out of their little houses, hackles up and deep growls in their throats.
From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck
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.
