hackle up
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To get angry or defensive, like a dog that raises the fur on its neck when it feels threatened.
Literal meaning: For an animal to raise its hackles (neck feathers or fur) in a threatening display.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To become angry, defensive, or agitated in response to a threat or provocation.
"The senator hackled up when the journalist suggested he had misused public funds."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Rare as a phrasal verb. Most commonly seen in the phrase 'raise someone's hackles' rather than as a standalone phrasal verb. The noun 'hackles' refers to the feathers or hairs on the neck of a bird or dog that rise when the animal is angry or scared. Used figuratively of people.
Commonly used with
politician audience crowd opponent critic rival
Forms
Base
hackle up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hackles up
he/she/it
Past simple
hackled up
yesterday
Past participle
hackled up
have + pp
-ing form
hackling up
continuous
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