kick up/make/create/raise a stink

create a stink

To be very vocal in one's displeasure about something; to make a scene. My mom created a stink when the store refused to accept her return without a receipt. At most big box stores, if you create a stink about a product that didn't meet your expectations, you'll almost definitely get a refund. Sir, we have politely asked you to leave—please don't create a stink.

See also: create, stink

kick up a stink

To be very vocal in one's displeasure about something; to make a scene. My mom kicked up a stink when the store refused to accept her return without a receipt.

See also: kick, stink, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

create a stink (about something)

 and make a stink (about something); raise a stink (about something)

Fig. to make a major issue out of something; to make much over something; to make a lot of complaints and criticisms about something. Tom created a stink about Bob's remarks. Why did he make a stink about that? Tom is always trying to raise a stink.

See also: create, stink

make a (big) stink (about someone or something)

 and raise a (big) stink (about someone or something)

Fig. to make trouble about someone or something. Why did you raise a big stink about it? Jim is making a stink about Alice.

See also: make, stink

make a stink

(about something) Go to create a stink (about something).

See also: make, stink

raise a (big) stink

(about someone or something) Go to make a (big) stink (about someone or something).

See also: raise, stink

raise a stink

(about something) Go to create a stink (about something).

See also: raise, stink

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

make a stink

Also, raise a stink. Create a great fuss; complain, criticize, or otherwise make trouble about something. For example, They promised to fix the printer today; you needn't make a stink about it, or The parents were raising a stink about the principal's new rules. This idiom transfers an offensive odor to a public fuss. [Mid-1800s] Also see make a scene.

See also: make, stink

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/make/create/raise a ˈstink (about something)

(informal) show that you are angry about a situation, often by protesting in public: He kicked up a stink about the noise from the new nightclub, writing to all the papers and complaining to the council.

See also: create, kick, make, raise, stink, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

make a stink

verb

See raise a stink about someone/something

See also: make, stink

raise a stink

verb

See raise a stink about someone/something

See also: raise, stink

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.