get someone's Irish up

English

Etymology

From a supposed propensity of Irish people to be easily and severely angered.

Pronunciation

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Verb

get someone's Irish up (third-person singular simple present gets someone's Irish up, present participle getting someone's Irish up, simple past got someone's Irish up, past participle (UK) got someone's Irish up or (US) gotten someone's Irish up)

1. (potentially offensive) To anger or annoy someone.
   • 1979, David Garth, New York Magazine, page 14:

     "It's so crazy I've got to believe they're either paranoid or trying to get his Irish up so he will run [and split the anti-Carter vote in the primaries]. My guess is it's paranoia."

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:annoy and Thesaurus:enrage