make a stink

Idioms and Phrases

Also, raise a stink . Create a great fuss; complain, criticize, or otherwise make trouble about something. For example, They promised to fix the printer today; you needn't make a stink about it , or The parents were raising a stink about the principal's new rules . This idiom transfers an offensive odor to a public fuss. [Mid-1800s] Also see make a scene .

Example Sentences

Do I let it slide, because that’s what my sister herself is doing, or correct them and make a stink, every single time?

From Washington Post

Part of her didn’t want to “make a stink,” because other issues, like homelessness, are more pressing.

From Seattle Times

I suppose that I may be in a minority of reviewers to make a stink about this, but I really wish Razer had built in a 3.5mm jack for wired listening.

From The Verge

“Bigger publications would like to make a stink that he’s going to the indies and not the big guys, which is frankly absurd,” she said.

From New York Times

It would not be worth it to make a stink.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• affirm
• assert
• declare
• demonstrate
• fight
• insist
• maintain
• object
• oppose
• resist
• revolt