chafe at

chafe at (something)

To feel or express annoyance in response to something. Bruce chafed at the idea that the new hire he was training made more money than him. You could tell he was chafing at the reporter's questions, but he still declined to comment.See also: chafe

chafe at something

Fig. to be irritated or annoyed at something. Jane chafed at the criticism for a long time afterward. Jerry chafed for a while at what Ken had said.See also: chafe