red rag to a bull
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Something that will enrage another particular person.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Simply mentioning the word "nationalism" to him is like a red rag to a bull.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “red rag to a bull” mean?
Something that will enrage another particular person.
Is “red rag to a bull” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.