Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
red-rag
Noun
/ˈrɛd ræɡ/
Definition
A piece of red cloth that is used to provoke or annoy someone, often associated with bullfighting where it is used to anger the bull.
Examples
- Seeing his opponent’s victory was like waving a red rag in front of a bull for him.
- She knew that discussing politics was a red rag for her friends, leading to heated debates.
- The manager’s criticism was a red rag that triggered a defensive response from the employees.
Meaning
The term ‘red-rag’ is commonly used to refer to something that irritates or provokes someone, akin to how a bull might react to a red cloth.
Synonyms
- provocation
- insult
- offense
