buy trouble

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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.
See also: buy, 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.
See also: buy, trouble
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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Assured that "one size fits all," these victims learn many upgrades, overhauls and revamps later that they did not buy productivity--they bought trouble.
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PORTADOWN boss Ronnie McFall denies he has bought trouble with midfielder Michael Collins.
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But when Gannett bought the Knoxville Journal, it bought trouble.
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