Bars that irritate? (7)
I believe the answer is:
grating
'bars' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for grating that I've seen before include "Unpleasantly harsh in sound" , "Frame of iron bars to block passage but allow air" , "Ring tag (anag.)" , "Wearing away" , "Rasping - grille" .)