have one's back up

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

To be angry or defensive.

Examples

“He's had his back up all morning. There's no point ⟳ in trying to talk ⟳ to him.”

CEFR level

C2

Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See all C2 English words →

See also

have one's bread buttered for life have one's bread buttered on both sides have one's cake and eat it too have one's ducks in a row have one's ears lowered have one's ears on

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