buy trouble
(redirected from bought trouble)buy trouble
To do something that is likely to cause problems later. That kid isn't bullying you, so if you tattle on him to the teacher, you're definitely buying trouble.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
buy trouble
Fig. to encourage trouble; to bring on trouble. (As if certain acts would pay for or cause difficulties that would have to be suffered through.) I don't want to buy trouble. I have enough already. Saying something insulting to him is just buying trouble.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.