How to Pronounce "hackles"
word
Definition
'Hackles' are the hairs along the back of an animal, especially a dog or cat, that rise up when it is angry or frightened. The term is also used metaphorically to talk about a person becoming irritated or angry.
Listen in Context
Whenever they argue about politics, everyone’s hackles go up.
His rude comment made my hackles rise.
The sight of the barking dog made her hackles rise instantly.
The cat’s hackles were up because it was frightened.