ruffle up
Definition
Verb: - To disturb the smoothness or neatness of something, making it uneven or messy. This often refers to physically disarranging a surface, such as hair, feathers, or fabric, or metaphorically disturbing a calm state.
Usage
This verb is typically used with a direct object. It describes the action of causing something that was smooth, flat, or orderly to become uneven or disordered.
Examples
- Physical Disturbance:
- The strong wind ruffled up the surface of the lake.
- She gently ruffled up the baby's hair.
- Metaphorical/Emotional Disturbance:
- The unexpected criticism ruffled up his calm demeanor.
Advanced Usage
- "to get one's feathers ruffled up": An idiomatic expression meaning to become annoyed, upset, or defensive.
- He got his feathers ruffled up when his idea was challenged.
Variants and Related Words
- Ruffle (verb): The base form, meaning to disorder or disturb. "Ruffle up" is a more emphatic or complete version.
- Don't ruffle the papers on my desk.
- Dishevel (verb): To make (hair or clothing) untidy.
- Rumple (verb): To give a creased, ruffled, or disheveled appearance to.
Synonyms
- Disarrange
- Mess up
- Rumple
- Disorder
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Ruffle through: To search for something hastily by moving items around, often causing disorder.
- She ruffled through her bag looking for her keys.
Related Idioms
- To ruffle someone's feathers: To annoy, irritate, or upset someone.
- His arrogant comment really ruffled her feathers.
- (Note: This idiom commonly uses "ruffle" without "up").
Verb
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disturb the smoothness of
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ruffle the surface of the water
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