stir the pot
Provoke ongoing conflict
To stir the pot is to provoke controversy or conflict, often by introducing divisive topics or agitating existing tensions.
The image is of stirring a pot to keep its contents from settling: She loves to stir the pot at family dinners by bringing up politics.
Someone who stirs the pot may do so for entertainment, to expose hidden disagreements, or simply out of mischief.
- agitateDisturb or provoke
- inciteUrge toward action
- provokeIncite a response
- poke the bearAntagonize a powerful adversary
- instigateCause to begin
push buttons · rock the boat · troublemaker · fan the flames · add fuel · busybody · inflame · discord · sow discord · kick up a fuss · make waves · ruffle feathers · antagonize · play devil's advocate · rouse · intensify · catalyst · controversy
- food idiomspiece of cake, bread winner, low-hanging fruit, cool as a cucumber, bad egg
- Cause a stirmake waves, rock the boat, raise eyebrows, ruffle feathers, shake things up
- making troublemake waves, raise Cain, kick up a fuss, upset the apple cart, ruffle feathers
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- chaos idiomsall hell breaks loose, pandemonium, madhouse, circus, bedlam
- core exercisescrunches, crunch, sit-up, sit-ups, planks
stir the potmake peace
Resolve conflict between parties
peacemaking · pour oil on troubled waters · keep the peace · mediate · reconcile
stir the potkeep the peace
Prevent discord or conflict
let sleeping dogs lie · leave well enough alone · calm the waters · pour oil on troubled waters · steady the ship
stir the potmind one's own business
Refrain from prying
keep quiet · bite one's tongue · hold one's peace · keep a low profile · look the other way
stir, pot, stirring, pots, pottery, stirred, stirs, potter, potting