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Put Someone's Back Up

What Does "Put Someone's Back Up" Mean?

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"Put someone's back up" is an English idiom. It means "to cause someone to become defensive, annoyed, or irritated, often due to perceived criticism or provocation."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "put someone's back up" used in a sentence:
  • His condescending tone put her back up, and she responded firmly to assert herself.
  • The manager's constant micromanagement put the team's back up and led to a decrease in morale.
  • It's important to communicate respectfully to avoid putting people's backs up during discussions.
meaning for put someone's back up

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Put Someone's Back Up" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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