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A red rag to a bull

A red rag to a bull

Meaning

A deliberate provocation.

Examples

Telling Putin that he is macho as a response to being small in stature was like a red rag to a bull.

Where did it originate?

The United Kingdom. An allusion to bullfighting, where the bull is provoked by a waved cloth.

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
A red rag to a bull

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