(idiomatic) To anger or annoy someone.

Alternative form of like a rat up a drainpipe

(informal, UK) Emphatic form of fed up: very frustrated, annoyed, tired.

Extremely busy; having many pressing obligations, distractions, etc consuming one's time.

(colloquial) To start behaving properly; get one's act together.

To bristle; to react in a defensive and bad-tempered manner.

To surprisingly succeed despite long odds; to stealthily or unobtrusively rise up from a low-status position.

(slang, archaic) To recuperate or recover, such as after an illness or injury.

To be careful and alert to the possibility of danger.

(simile, UK, slang) cheated or exploited; treated unfairly