cabrer

Literally, for a horse to rear up on its hind legs (le cheval se cabre). Figuratively, se cabrer means to balk, rebel, or dig in against a demand or criticism — a vivid image of resistance.

• Le cheval s'est cabré en entendant le bruit soudain. — The horse reared up at the sudden noise.
• Il s'est cabré face aux critiques de son patron. — He bristled and dug in against his boss's criticism.
• Cette remarque a fait cabrer toute l'équipe. — That remark made the whole team bristle.

The figurative sense of se cabrer is about sudden resistance/rebellion, not fear — don't confuse it with se raidir (to tense up from fear/stress), a different image entirely.

• expression "Se cabrer" — Documented since the 12th century as a figurative extension of a horse rearing up, from Old Provençal cabra (goat) — long established to mean balking at or rebelling against a demand or criticism.