make waves

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make waves

to change an existing situation in a way which causes problems or upsets people. Some workers felt it was not the time to make waves by organizing a union. Our culture encourages us to fit the norm and not to make waves.

make waves

to shock or upset people with something new or different. Her clothes have made waves on the fashion scene around the world.

Usage notes: often used in the form not make waves: We decided not to make waves with our parents and agreed to have a real wedding.This can be used of a novel situation whereas rock the boat can only be used about changing an existing one--SL, 9/02

Related vocabulary: don't rock the boat, keep your nose clean

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make the scene
make time for
make toes curl
make tracks
make up for lost time
make up mind
make up out of whole cloth

make waves
make way
make way for
make whoopee
make worth while
make you sick
make-or-break
make/pull a face

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