When someone is said to have "ruffled feathers," it generally means that they have upset or offended someone. However, there are many other expressions that can convey the same idea. For example, one might say that someone has "rubbed someone the wrong way," "stepped on someone's toes," "gotten under someone's skin," or "rattled someone's cage." In each case, the phrase suggests that someone has caused another person to feel irritated or disturbed. Other synonyms might include "wound up," "irked," "annoyed," or "bothered." By using a variety of expressions, you can express the same idea in a fresh and engaging way.