you may ruffle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you may ruffle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone might disturb or upset a situation or a person's feelings. Example: "If you bring up that topic at dinner, you may ruffle some feathers among the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You may ruffle some feathers.

The New York Times

The interviewer is genuinely worried that you're going to be taking this job as a stand-by position until something better comes along, or that you may ruffle feathers by trying to make the role more than it is.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

You'll need to introduce some level of overhead that may ruffle some feathers among your earliest hires — who joined you in part for the freedom that comes with startups.

TechCrunch

Yes, she says, the film may ruffle some feathers.

The Guardian - Film

While Mr. McPherson's style may ruffle corporate feathers, it has made him beloved to many actors and producers.

The New York Times

The Vatican is to show religious art this year at its Venice Biennale debut – a surprise entrant that may ruffle a few feathers.

The Guardian - Arts

While Cluess may ruffle a few feathers with Big East teams, who arrive in New York for the tournament on Monday, the statistics say his case is not compelling.

The New York Times - Sports

What may ruffle some feathers, though, is the beer that this multi-award-winning bartender at The Artesian in Central London has recently helped create: a Negroni Saison.

Independent

A good and interesting choice, but one that may ruffle feathers, because the consensus was that Matthew Hollis's sort-of biography of Edward Thomas was the strongest on the list.

The Guardian - Books

Though the film is not especially graphic -- it is far less bloody than most PG-13 action blockbusters -- it addresses sexuality and violence with a brisk candor that may ruffle American sensibilities.

The New York Times

Mr. Anatsui's installation process is even more flexible, which is crucial to his art's unassuming grandeur; curators may ruffle the surfaces of the wall hangings as they please, smoothing old wrinkles or developing new ones.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "you may ruffle", consider the audience and the potential impact of your words or actions. Ensure that the situation warrants the risk of causing disturbance.

Common error

Avoid using "you may ruffle" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound overly cautious or passive-aggressive. Opt for more direct and specific language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you may ruffle" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests a potential outcome, specifically that someone's actions might cause disturbance or upset. The modal verb 'may' indicates a degree of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you may ruffle" is a grammatically correct expression used to suggest the possibility of causing disturbance or offense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a modal verb phrase, conveying a warning or cautionary note. While relatively rare in frequency, its usage is primarily found in news and media, as well as wiki-based sources. When employing this phrase, consider the audience and potential impact of your message, avoiding overuse for the sake of clarity and directness. Alternatives like "you might offend" or "you could upset" can offer varying degrees of intensity, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you might offend

Replaces 'may ruffle' with a direct indication of causing offense.

you could upset

Substitutes 'may ruffle' with a more direct term for causing emotional distress.

you might displease

Uses 'displease' to convey a less intense form of upsetting.

you could provoke

Suggests a stronger reaction than simply ruffling, implying incitement.

you may cause friction

Replaces the idiom with a more literal description of causing conflict.

you could stir up trouble

Indicates a broader sense of causing problems, not just upsetting individuals.

you might spark controversy

Suggests the potential for widespread disagreement or debate.

you may generate discord

Uses a more formal term for disagreement and lack of harmony.

you could create tension

Focuses on the atmosphere created by the potential disturbance.

you might incite disagreement

Emphasizes the act of prompting disagreement among people.

FAQs

How can I use "you may ruffle" in a sentence?

Use "you may ruffle" when suggesting that an action or statement could potentially disturb or upset someone. For example: "If you criticize his work publicly, "you may ruffle" some feathers."

What's a less direct alternative to "you may ruffle"?

If you want to be less direct, you could say "you might displease" or "you could upset" depending on the level of impact you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "ruffle feathers"?

While "ruffling feathers" often implies causing annoyance or disagreement, it can sometimes be necessary to challenge the status quo or bring about positive change. The context determines whether it's seen as negative or constructive.

Which is correct, "you may ruffle feathers" or "you might ruffle feathers"?

Both "you may ruffle feathers" and "you might ruffle feathers" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings, expressing a possibility. "Might" often implies a slightly lower probability than "may".