get a rise out of

1. Elicit an angry or irritated reaction, as in His teasing always got a rise out of her. This expression alludes to the angler's dropping a fly in a likely spot in the hope that a fish will rise to this bait.

Example Sentences

But even though President Trump didn't manage to get a rise out of the South African president, that does not mean his efforts over more than an hour were in vain; they certainly were not.

From BBC

Rarely if ever does one get the sense that they’re engaging in shtick to get a rise out of theatergoers.

From Los Angeles Times

Baldwin's Baier tried endlessly to get a rise out of Rudolph's Harris, wondering if she thought Trump voters were "morons" and asking if she knew she is "very sexy" when she's angry.

From Salon

“TJ Simers was acerbic, witty, cranky and knew how to get a rise out of people,” Southern California sportswriter Janis Carr tweeted Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether Maher's ignorance is feigned or genuine is beside the point, because he knows just mentioning the name and those two little words is enough to get a rise out of the public.

From Salon

Related Words

• annoy 
• arouse 
• displease 
• excite 
• gall 
• galvanize 
• ignite 
• incense 
• irk 
• irritate 
• kindle 
• offend 
• rile 
• stimulate 
• whet