make a stink

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

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 • Jul. 3, 2022

There’s a reason Romo knew he couldn’t make a stink about getting his old job back.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2017

In the long term, restrooms won’t get better until travelers make a stink about them.

From Washington Post • Mar. 10, 2016

Even if they objected to getting pushed around by Uncle Sam behind closed doors, they had little incentive to make a stink about it, as doing so could jeopardize their business by raising suspicions.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2015

As smart as he is, Luke doesn’t make a stink about it.

From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea

Related Words

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