create 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.

See also: create, stink

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 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

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

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