raising Cain
Making big trouble
Raising Cain means making a loud disturbance or causing trouble.
The phrase alludes to the biblical Cain, who murdered his brother Abel—summoning Cain suggests unleashing chaos or violence.
In practice, it often describes angry outbursts or rowdy behavior: The neighbors were raising Cain about the noise, The kids raised Cain until their parents got home.
Noisy, disruptive commotion
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- hullabalooNoisy uproar or fuss
brouhaha · tumult · fracas · kerfuffle · din · hubbub · clamor · disturbance
Mischievous or deceitful behavior
- troublemakingDeliberately causing discord
- hell-raisingRowdy troublemaking behavior
- pranksPlayful mischievous acts
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
tomfoolery · devilry · high jinks · monkeyshines · roguery · misbehavior · naughtiness · impishness
Defiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
resistance · dissent · protest · insurrection · noncompliance · obstinacy · recalcitrance · contumacy
ruckus
Noisy, disruptive commotion
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
hullabaloo · brouhaha · tumult · fracas · kerfuffle · din · hubbub · clamor · disturbance · rumpus
shenanigans
Mischievous or deceitful behavior
- troublemakingDeliberately causing discord
- hell-raisingRowdy troublemaking behavior
- pranksPlayful mischievous acts
antics · tomfoolery · devilry · high jinks · monkeyshines · roguery · misbehavior · naughtiness · impishness · horseplay
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- mutinyRevolt against authority
revolt · resistance · dissent · protest · insurrection · noncompliance · obstinacy · recalcitrance · contumacy · sedition
raising Cainkeeping quiet
Remaining silent
keeping the peace · lying low · keeping mum · holding one's peace · sitting quietly
raising Caintoeing the line
Adhering to expectations
falling in line · conforming · obeying · going along to get along · complying