How Do You Spell RUFFLED FEATHERS?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈʌfə͡ld fˈɛðəz] (IPA)

The idiomatic expression "ruffled feathers" refers to someone's feelings getting hurt or causing offense. The word "ruffled" is pronounced /ˈrʌfəld/ with the stress on the first syllable. It is spelled with a double "f" and ends in "-led" because it is derived from the verb "to ruffle" meaning to disorder or to disturb. Meanwhile, "feathers" is pronounced /ˈfɛðərz/, also with the stress on the first syllable. It is spelled with "ea" because "feather" comes from the Old English word "fether".

RUFFLED FEATHERS Meaning and Definition

1. The term "ruffled feathers" refers to a metaphorical expression that is often used to describe a situation where someone becomes upset, offended, or irritated by something. The phrase originates from the behavior of birds, particularly when their feathers become disturbed or raised, usually due to agitation, fear, or aggression. Applied to humans, "ruffled feathers" suggests a similar emotional state, where an individual's composure, calmness, or peace of mind is disrupted by a particular event, comment, or action.

   When someone's feathers are said to be ruffled, it implies that they feel provoked or threatened, resulting in a visible display of distress or anger through their body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions. This figurative term often highlights the individual's reaction of bristling in response to a perceived insult, infringement of their rights, or when their beliefs and principles are challenged. It can occur in personal relationships, workplace settings, or public interactions, contributing to tension, conflicts, or disagreements.

   The phrase "ruffled feathers" depicts a state of temporary emotional turbulence or discomfort, where an individual may express their displeasure openly or attempt to regain their equilibrium through self-assertion or confrontation. It can serve as a warning or reminder to be cautious in one's actions or words, as they may cause others to become defensive or irritated. Understanding the implications of this idiom can aid in fostering better communication, empathy, and conflict resolution in various social contexts.

Common Misspellings for RUFFLED FEATHERS

• euffled feathers
• duffled feathers
• fuffled feathers
• tuffled feathers
• 5uffled feathers
• 4uffled feathers
• ryffled feathers
• rhffled feathers
• rjffled feathers
• riffled feathers
• r8ffled feathers
• r7ffled feathers
• rudfled feathers
• rucfled feathers
• ruvfled feathers
• rugfled feathers
• rutfled feathers
• rurfled feathers
• rufdled feathers
• rufcled feathers

Etymology of RUFFLED FEATHERS

The phrase "ruffled feathers" is idiomatic, meaning it is not derived from a specific word or phrase with a direct etymology. Instead, it is a metaphorical expression used to describe a state of agitation, irritation, or offense caused by someone's actions or words. The phrase likens the disturbed and disordered appearance of feathers in a bird to the emotional state of a person who is upset or annoyed.

Idioms with the word RUFFLED FEATHERS

• smooth (somebody’s) ruffled feathers The idiom "smooth somebody's ruffled feathers" means to calm and soothe someone who is upset, angry, or agitated, usually by using comforting words or actions to restore peace and harmony in a situation.
• smooth (sb's) ruffled feathers To "smooth (sb's) ruffled feathers" means to calm or soothe someone who is angry, upset, or offended, often by saying or doing something to ease their concerns or resolve any issues that may have caused their agitation. This idiom refers to the metaphorical act of smoothing out the feathers on a bird that may have become ruffled or disturbed due to stress or conflict.
• smooth (one's) ruffled feathers The idiom "smooth one's ruffled feathers" means to calm someone down or restore the person's peace of mind after he or she has been upset, angry, or offended.
• smooth (someone's) ruffled feathers The idiom "smooth (someone's) ruffled feathers" means to calm someone down or pacify them after they have been upset, angry, or offended. It refers to the action of restoring harmony or easing tensions in a situation by addressing any issues that might have caused the person's disturbance or dissatisfaction.
• smooth ruffled feathers The idiom "smooth ruffled feathers" means to resolve or calm a tension or conflict between people. It refers to the act of soothing someone's hurt feelings, alleviating their anger or irritation, and restoring harmony in a situation or relationship.