red rag

American  

noun

1. something that arouses anger; a provocation; red flag.

   A mere mention of the incident is a red rag to him.

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red rag British  

noun

1. a provocation; something that infuriates

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Etymology

Origin of red rag

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

red rag

As yields act as a red rag on both sides of the Atlantic, it will be tough for the market to carry on charging higher.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

“Azov was like a red rag for them,” he said.

From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2023

Such an agreement would be far simpler, limited largely to tariff reduction, and would not be known as “TTIP”, a red rag to anti-globalisation protesters.

From Reuters ● May 16, 2018

If someone lies to me, it’s a red rag to a bull.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 18, 2015

Each time someone arrives to eat dinner, he waves the red rag to guide the customer into a parking space, like a ground crew member ushering a jetliner to a gate.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario