kick-up

Or kick·up

[kik-uhp]

noun

1. a violent disturbance or argument.

2. kick.

3. kip.

kick up

verb

1. informal,  to cause (trouble, a fuss, etc)

2. See bobsy-die

Word History and Origins

Origin of kick up¹

First recorded in 1790–95; kick ( def. ) + up ( def. )

Idioms and Phrases

Malfunction, cause trouble or pain, as in My grandmother's arthritis is kicking up again. [Colloquial; first half of 1900s] Also see act up; also subsequent entries beginning with kick up.

Related Words

• commotion 
• confusion 
• controversy 
• excitement 
• flap 
• furor 
• hassle 
• ruckus 
• stink