raise Cain
Make big trouble
To raise Cain is to cause trouble, create an uproar, or make a loud commotion.
The expression alludes to the biblical Cain, whose murder of his brother Abel represents humanity's first act of violence.
Someone who raises Cain might be angrily protesting, behaving wildly, or simply making a scene: The customers raised Cain when the store ran out of sale items.
The phrase often suggests righteous indignation rather than mere misbehavior.
Noisy, disruptive commotion
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
- hullabalooNoisy uproar or fuss
- brouhahaNoisy public uproar
- fracasNoisy disorderly fight
kerfuffle · scene · stink · fuss · row · disturbance · racket · din
One who creates discord
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- instigatorOne who provokes action
- mischief-makerOne who causes trouble
provocateur · firebrand · hothead · antagonist · heckler · pest · nuisance · gadfly
ruckus
Noisy, disruptive commotion
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
- hullabalooNoisy uproar or fuss
- brouhahaNoisy public uproar
fracas · kerfuffle · scene · stink · fuss · row · disturbance · racket · din · clamor
troublemaker
One who creates discord
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- instigatorOne who provokes action
mischief-maker · provocateur · firebrand · hothead · antagonist · heckler · pest · nuisance · gadfly · loose cannon
rebel
Authority defier
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- resistOppose or refuse compliance
defy · disobey · act up · buck · challenge · insubordination · mutiny · dissent · nonconformity · troublemaking
fury
Intense violent anger
- rageIntense, violent anger
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- outburstSudden emotional release
tirade · fit · explosion · blowup · conniption · meltdown · rant · storm · eruption · rampage
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- making troublemake waves, stir the pot, kick up a fuss, upset the apple cart, ruffle feathers
- making wavescause a stir, make a splash, rock the boat, shake up, stir
raise Cainkeep quiet
Remain silent
keep the peace · stay calm · hold one's peace · keep still · lie low
raise Cainkeep one's cool
Maintain emotional control
keep one's shirt on · bite one's tongue · count to ten · simmer down · cool one's jets
raise Cainbehave oneself
Act with proper conduct
toe the line · fall in line · keep the peace · follow the rules · go along to get along
raise, raised, raising, raises, raiser, raisers, Cain, raise hell