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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Example Sentences

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

The success of high-speed rail in other countries raises our competitive hackles.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2025

Feline lovers in Kenya’s capital have been twitching over the threat of what is perceived as a “cat tax” - and any talk of tax in the East African nation raises the hackles.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2024

“You looked ... fierce. Like a wolf with all its hackles up,” she stopped, looking up at my head.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss