To make the feathers/fur fly In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "to make the feathers/fur fly", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Tommy Tran calendar 2021-01-04 11:01

Meaning of To make the feathers/fur fly

Synonyms:

wake some snakes

To make the feathers/fur fly British informal verb phrase

The verb "make" can be replaced by "cause"

To stir up disputation, trouble, or clash

If I were in your shoes, I'd make the fur fly.

To do something with eagerness, energy or passion

Kate makes the feathers fly when it comes to cooking.

Other phrases about:

To lower the boom (on someone or something)

To punish someone or something harshly 

go down swinging/fighting
to fight until the very end
you can't unring a bell

Once something has been done, you can do nothing but face the consequences.

to ask for trouble
to behave in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties

Grammar and Usage of To make the feathers/fur fly

Verb Forms

  • made the fur fly
  • makes the feathers fly
  • making the feathers fly

The verb "make" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of To make the feathers/fur fly

When chickens fight the feathers fly in all directions. (Image Source: Dreamstime)

The expression originated from the way chickens fight, causing the feathers to fly in all directions. The term 'flying fur' appeared first from the 17th century, in Hudibras from 1663 by Samuel Butler:

"I'll make the fur fly about the ears of that old cur,"

The term 'flying feathers' appeared later from the early 19th century, in John Neal's Brother Jonathan from 1825:

"He'd make the feathers fly."

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to look like a drowned rat

To be very wet

Example:

Because of forgetting bringing an umbrella, I look like a drowned rat when it rains.

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