STEP BY STEP 英語表現1062

ruffle one’s feathers

〔鳥などが〕羽根を逆立てる◆膨らんだような状態になること。威嚇・身繕い・寒いときなどの動作とされる。《ruffle someone’s feathers》（人）を怒らせる、（人）の機嫌を損ねる◆【語源】怒った鳥が羽毛を逆立たせる様子から〔英辞郎〕

Mr. Douglas: Uh, listen Bing, I received your memo. So, we’re not gonna receive the systems report until next Friday?
Chandler: Well the people in my group wanna spend the holiday weekend with their families.
Mr. Douglas: I have a family, I’m gonna be here.
Joey: Yeah Bing, what’s that about?
Chandler: It’s about cutting my people a little slack, ya know, for morale. Look, if you wanna see some rough numbers, I can get them to you by Wednesday.
Mr. Douglas: Rough numbers?
Joey: This company was not built on rough numbers. Am I right Mr. Douglas.
Mr. Douglas: Have the final numbers on my desk by Tuesday.
Chandler: Uh, if you say so sir.
Joey: Joseph’s good, isn’t he?
Chandler: Well, I’m going to kill you.
Joey: Hey, hey, I just figure Joseph’s the kinda guy that likes to mix it up. Ya know, get in there, ruffle some feathers.

– “FRIENDS” Season 2 Episode 23

*cut someone some slack （人）を大目に見る