To "bridle at" something means to show sudden anger or scorn by throwing back one's head or stiffening one's posture—much like a horse might pull back or toss its head when it feels the restraint of a (the headgear used for control). Common Usage
: Legislators may bridle at what they see as judicial overreach or "encroachment" on their powers. bridle at
The term is frequently used in professional, academic, or political contexts to describe resistance to authority, criticism, or bureaucracy: To "bridle at" something means to show sudden