
Rattle somebody’s cage
Playful Teasing
The phrase can imply lighthearted teasing, not always serious annoyance.
When he teased her about her cooking, he was just trying to rattle her cage.
Provoking Reaction
Use it to describe actions aiming to get a reaction, often in a challenging way.
He made that comment to rattle her cage and see how she'd respond.
Negative Connotation
It can imply a negative intent, such as irritating someone on purpose.
Don't rattle her cage; she's had a bad day already.
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