hackles

/ (ˈhækəlz) /

Save This Word!

pl n

the hairs on the back of the neck and the back of a dog, cat, etc, which rise when the animal is angry or afraid

anger or resentment (esp in the phrases get one's hackles up, make one's hackles rise)

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby hackles

hacking, hacking jacket, hackle, hackleback, hackle fly, hackles, hackly, hackman, hackmatack, hackney, hackney coach

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use hackles in a sentence

It is the connection of triclosan to dioxin that has appropriately raised the hackles of so many.
Antibacterial Soap’s Deadly Secret|Kent Sepkowitz|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
British journalist Liz Jones has an unqualified knack for raising media hackles on both sides of the Atlantic.
Feminist Flagellant: Liz Jones’s Surprising Brand of Tell-All|Emma Garman|July 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ornstein pointed the finger at Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who's questioning of Hagel during the confirmation hearing raised hackles.
The Chuck Hagel Witch-Hunt|Ali Gharib|February 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the conditions on the cash raised some hackles in Pakistan.
What If the U.S. Cuts Off Aid to Pakistan?|David A. Graham|May 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The fat fee is raising some hackles, but the head of the nonprofit she helped tells Shushannah Walshe she was worth the money.
Bristol Palin's Outrageous Payday|Shushannah Walshe|April 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Logwood dyes lilac, or pink; to turn red hackles brown, boil them in copperas.
The Teesdale Angler|R Lakeland
His gray hackles stiffened and his thick-set eyebrows bristled outward like bits of frosted privet.
The Escape of Mr. Trimm|Irvin S. Cobb
But his hackles remained raised as he accompanied the boy into the cabin.
Trading Jeff and his Dog|James Arthur Kjelgaard
With hackles bristling and teeth bared he approached us, emitting savage growls.
13 Days|John Alan Lyde Caunter
It was staring up at him fiercely from red eyes, and the hackles stood erect, though it did not growl.
Heart of the Blue Ridge|Waldron Baily

Other Idioms and Phrases with hackles

hackles

see raise someone's hackles.

hackles

Words nearby hackles

Words related to hackles

How to use hackles in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with hackles