WordNet
v. show anger or indignation; "She bristled at his insolent remarks" [syn: bristle at, bridle at, bridle up]
Usage examples of "bristle up".
The crumbling feeling as the steel disk struck just below the base of his skull made the hair bristle up along her spine even then.
He was of a sickly colour, and his thin, sandy hair seemed to bristle up with the intensity of his emotion.
Usually, as soon as they came across it, they would growl, bristle up, and then retreat with their tails between their legs.
Rokeby was smoking, alone, in the dining-room early in the evening, when the dog began to bristle up his hair, and bark.
Rhodan was surprised to see the hair of Pucky's neck bristle up, which was a real signal for alarm.
If the larva is disturbed, dozens of stinging spikes bristle up from each turret like the spines of an echidna.
Your backside is better enough for you to run again, if need be -- bristle up the courage of the cornered rat, put on a bold front, and to hell with them.