ENENENEN
FR
ES
RU
IT
TR
UKlike a red flag / rag to a bull
/lˈaɪk ɐ ɹˈɛd flˈaɡ ɹˈaɡ tʊ ɐ bˈʊl/
/lˈaɪk ɐ ɹˈɛd flˈæɡ ɹˈæɡ tʊ ɐ bˈʊl/like a red flag / rag to a bull
[PHRASE]
What is the origin of the idiom "make a go of something" and when to use it?
The exact origin of the phrase "like a red flag to a bull" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the late 19th or early 20th century. This expression is often used when discussing sensitive or contentious topics that are known to trigger strong emotions or when describing actions that deliberately provoke or irritate someone.
Examples
1. Don't tell him you're a vegetarian - it's like a red rag to a bull.
2. You do realize that bringing your new girlfriend to your ex-wife's house is like a red flag to a bull, right?
3. For Hemingway this was like a red flag to a bull.
4. MICHAEL KIRK - Sounds like a red flag to a bull, though, knowing who he is and how sensitive he is to just exactly that kind of thing.
more