The phrase "hackles up"

Becky Writes · Aug 13, 2006

I want to use this phrase in my WIP, but I'm not sure it conveys the right feeling.

I'm going to post a few lines from the scene and please tell me if it's the right usage, and if not, give me an idea, please.

[FONT=Courier New, monospace]“So who was that guy?” Michael asked. They were on the bus traveling from the Smith Center to the hotel.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New, monospace] Casey quickly debated lying to him, but shook her head and resigned herself to telling the truth. “That was Chris Baker,” she said slowly and softly. [/FONT]

[FONT=Courier New, monospace]Michael let the information sink in. “How did he know you were here?”[/FONT]

[FONT=Courier New, monospace]“He’s in charge of booking the shows at the Dean Dome.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Courier New, monospace]“How did heknow you were here?”[/FONT]

[FONT=Courier New, monospace]“I guess Annie told him.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Courier New, monospace]“What did he want?” It sounded more like an accusation than a question and instinctively Casey's hackles were up. [/FONT]

“[FONT=Courier New, monospace]We were just talking, Mike. We were friends, you know.”[/FONT]

“[FONT=Courier New, monospace]And he was also the man you cheated on your husband with.” He face was becoming distorted with agitation.[/FONT]

Does it work there?

Popeyesays · Aug 13, 2006

1. Any of the long, slender, often glossy feathers on the neck of a bird, especially a male domestic fowl. 2. hackles The erectile hairs along the back of the neck of an animal, especially of a dog. 3a. A tuft of cock feathers trimming an artificial fishing fly. b. A hackle fly.

The hackles rise because of anger, rage, fight or flight response, fear.
So if someone is looking for a fight or ready to run away their "hackles" are up.

Regards,
Scott

three seven · Aug 13, 2006

In other words, yes.

NightWynde · Aug 13, 2006

It seems that how you're using it would be more along the lines of "her guard was up/raised" as opposed to her hackles. Unless, there's something about the relationship between Casey and Chris that I'm missing, like has he stalked her in the past or has he been known to be violent? Remember, this has to do with Casey's perspective on what has already happened as opposed to what will happen in the book.

That being said, it doesn't have to be as extreme as stalking or violence that'll get her hackles up, a bad break up could do it as well.

Selcaby · Aug 14, 2006

I think I would say "her hackles rose" as opposed to "were up" but otherwise it looks fine.

FloVoyager · Aug 14, 2006

What about, "and instinctively Casey's hackles went up"?

"Went," instead of "were," just sounds better to me.

veinglory · Aug 14, 2006

I also thought 'went' would be smoother to read--but otherwise fine.

Maryn · Aug 14, 2006

Hackle raising is involuntary, so qualifying it as done instinctively is probably unnecessary.

Maryn, who chooses to leave her hackles flat for the nonce

sunandshadow · Aug 14, 2006

NightWynde said:
It seems that how you're using it would be more along the lines of "her guard was up/raised" as opposed to her hackles. Unless, there's something about the relationship between Casey and Chris that I'm missing, like has he stalked her in the past or has he been known to be violent? Remember, this has to do with Casey's perspective on what has already happened as opposed to what will happen in the book.

That being said, it doesn't have to be as extreme as stalking or violence that'll get her hackles up, a bad break up could do it as well.

Your hackles go up when you feel provoked and ready to fight back; you put your guard up when you didn't realize you were threatened before or really weren't threatened before, but now suddenly are on the lookout for attacks and ready to hunker down and withstand them.

The phrase "hackles up"

Becky Writes

Go Tarheels!

Popeyesays

Now departed. Rest in peace, Scott, from all of us

three seven

(Graeme Cameron)

NightWynde

Selcaby

Writer of wrongs

FloVoyager

Will write for chocolate

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Maryn

I Tried

sunandshadow

Impractical Fantasy Animal