to raise one's bristles

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

To excite one's anger.


I cane to Congress in 1827, as honestly the friend of Gen. Jackson as any man in the world; but when I found that his whole object was to serve party, and wreak his vengeance upon those who had voted against him, my bristles began to get up.--Crockett, Tour, p. 136.

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