poke the bear

Etymology
The second sense refers to the use of bears to represent Russia, as a shortening of the idiom "poke the Russian bear" (to anger or threaten Russia and start a war with Russia).

Verb

 * 1)  To deliberately aggravate somebody, especially somebody in a position of power or authority.
 * 2)  To deliberately anger Russia or the Russian government.
 * 1)  To deliberately anger Russia or the Russian government.
 * 1)  To deliberately anger Russia or the Russian government.