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Glite Dictionary
to get a rise out of

to get a rise out of

8 6.8
Make someone angry or annoyed on purpose by teasing them
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : provocar
  • He often teases his sister to get a rise out of her when she's in a serious mood.
  • trying to get a rise out of
  • just to get a rise out of
  • get a rise out of people

When the narcissistic adult child tries to get a rise out of other family members.

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Examples

  • He's just trying to get a rise out of you.

    Beyond the Gates (2016)

  • I am just trying to get a rise out of you, that's all.

    Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

  • Hey, I finally got a rise out of this kid.

    American Heart (1992)

  • Anything to get a rise out of you.

    The Last Boy Scout (1991)

  • At least that got a rise out of him.

    Bringing Up Baby (1938)

  • Al is trying to get a rise out of me.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • I mean, obviously this is just some asshole trying to get a rise out of you.

    Mrs. Claus (2018)

  • Kate: I knew this post would get a rise out of you.

    Blog text (5)

  • I just stood there tap-tapping my foot, knowing he was only doing it to get a rise out of me.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • He's trying to get a rise out of me by using this presidential debate tactic of turning my belief system on its head.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

to pick
vsto get a rise out of
165 4.8

To start a fight or argument by annoying someone

seeks to cause a reaction through deliberate challenge rather than casual teasing
to provoke
vsto get a rise out of
144 3.6

Annoy someone again and again to make them react

deliberately seeks a reaction often focusing on annoyance or anger
to stir
vsto get a rise out of
131 3.7

To make someone feel a strong emotion

targets annoyance or anger deliberately rather than any emotional response
to anger
vsto get a rise out of
114 1.0

To make someone very upset or annoyed

is an intentional attempt to cause annoyance rather than a passive feeling
to rile
vsto get a rise out of
63 6.9

Make someone annoyed, often by small things

is deliberate and aimed at provoking a reaction rather than causing minor annoyance
to arouse
vsto get a rise out of
57 4.1

Cause a feeling or strong reaction in people

is specifically about deliberately provoking annoyance or anger rather than any feeling
to stir up
vsto get a rise out of
48 4.8

To make people feel strong emotions like anger or fear

aims specifically to cause annoyance or anger in someone rather than general emotion
to agitate
vsto get a rise out of
42 4.8

To make people feel strongly excited or upset

is focused on deliberate provocation to cause annoyance rather than general stirring
to inflame
vsto get a rise out of
31 5.8

To make people's feelings stronger, especially anger or hate

is about deliberately provoking reactions rather than merely intensifying feelings
to antagonize
vsto get a rise out of
  • US
31 7.6

To make someone angry or unfriendly

does it by deliberate provocation aimed at annoyance rather than only anger
to get under one's skin
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
25 7.2

To annoy someone again and again so they feel bothered

is intentional and aims to provoke a reaction rather than passive annoyance
to stir the pot
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
8 8.0

To cause trouble by saying things to make people argue

often aims to provoke one person's reaction rather than stir group controversy
to get on someone's nerves
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
7 4.9

To bother someone again and again until they feel angry

is meant to provoke a reaction deliberately rather than merely cause irritation
to get under someone's skin
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
4 7.4

To annoy someone a lot by small things another person does

focuses on deliberate action to provoke rather than mere ongoing irritation
to pique
vsto get a rise out of
2 8.2

To offend someone and make them feel annoyed or hurt

aims to provoke irritation deliberately rather than merely offend fragile pride
to push someone's buttons
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
1 7.1

To do or say something on purpose to annoy someone

aims to trigger a chosen emotional response rather than general upset
to get one's dander up
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
1 9.1

To make someone angry

is an intentional attempt to cause a reaction rather than a simple sudden annoyance
to raise hackles
vsto get a rise out of
1 7.9

To make someone angry or upset

is often deliberate to get a reaction rather than a natural defensive response
to yank someone's chain
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
1 8.7

Tease someone to make them react

focuses on deliberate provocation aiming for annoyance or anger
to rattle the cage
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
1 7.8

To do or say something on purpose to upset someone and see their reaction

often seeks annoyance or anger instead of merely testing patience or reaction
to get someone's back up
vsto get a rise out of
  • UK
1 7.9

To annoy someone or make them feel defensive

deliberately aims to provoke a reaction rather than merely upset by chance
to do someone's head in
vsto get a rise out of
  • UK
1 9.8

To make someone feel very annoyed or upset

focuses on deliberate provocation to cause anger rather than mental distress
to put someone's back up
vsto get a rise out of
  • UK
7.7

To make someone angry or ready to argue

is about deliberately provoking a reaction rather than causing accidental offense
to put up someone's back
vsto get a rise out of
  • UK
8.9

To annoy someone so they become defensive

focuses on deliberate action to get a reaction rather than accidental irritation
to get on someone's wick
vsto get a rise out of
  • UK
9.9

To annoy someone by doing the same small things again and again

applies when the aim is deliberate provocation rather than accidental irritation
to get someone's goat
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
8.4

To annoy someone or make them angry

is used for deliberate attempts to cause anger rather than broad annoyance
to get one's monkey up
vsto get a rise out of
  • Informal
9.9

To become angry or upset

refers to becoming angry oneself rather than deliberately provoking someone
to enflame
vsto get a rise out of
6.4

To make feelings like anger or excitement stronger

tends to be deliberate to cause a reaction rather than only increase intensity

Antonyms

to calm down
  • Informal
594 1.4

To become less angry, excited, or upset

How Provoking

to enrage
68 3.7
to provoke
115 3.7
to get a rise out of
  • Informal
8 6.8
to annoy
246 1.0
to bother
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

get a rise out of infinitive
getting a rise out of present participle
gets a rise out of third person singular
got a rise out of past
got a rise out of past participle

Morphology

get + a + rise + out + of

The components 'get' (cause), 'a rise' (an increase) and 'out of' (from someone) allow a learner to infer a general sense of causing an increase in someone's emotional state. However, the specific nuance of deliberately provoking annoyance or amusement is a metaphorical, idiomatic extension that is not fully predictable from the parts, so it would not be immediately clear to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Get a rise out of may come from the simple image of making someone get up or their feelings rise from calm into anger. That's why it means 'to deliberately provoke a reaction, especially anger'.