kick up a fuss
To be a nuisance or cause a disturbance by complaining, arguing, etc. At most big box stores, if you kick up a fuss about a product that didn't meet your expectations, you'll almost definitely get a refund.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
kick up a fuss
and kick up a row; kick up a stormFig. to become a nuisance; to misbehave and disturb (someone). (Row rhymes with cow. Note the variations in the examples.) The customer kicked up such a fuss about the food that the manager came to apologize. I kicked up such a row that they told me to leave. Oh, what pain! My arthritis is kicking up a storm.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
kick up a fuss
Also, kick up a row or storm . Create a disturbance; start a fight. For example, The soup was cold, and Aunt Mary began to kick up a fuss, calling for the manager, or There's no need to kick up a row; the boys will leave quietly, or If they fire him, Carl is ready to kick up a storm. These expressions all employ kick up in the sense of "raise dust or dirt," a usage dating from the mid-1700s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
kick up a fuss (or a stink)
register strong disapproval; object loudly to something. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
kick up a ˈfuss, ˈrow, etc.
(informal) complain very noisily and loudly about something: He kicked up a real fuss about the slow service in the restaurant. ♢ Every time her newspaper arrives late, she kicks up a fuss.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017