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 )

Tommy Tran

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

Children and Fools Tell the Truth

White lie

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."