raise the roof

1. Complain loudly and angrily, as in When the landlord increased the rent, the tenants raised the roof about his lack of repairs and maintenance . Both usages convey the image of the roof being lifted because it cannot contain either noise or rage. [ Slang ; mid-1800s] Also see hit the ceiling .

2. Be extremely noisy and boisterous, as in They'd had a lot to drink and were really raising the roof last night .

Related Words

• holler
• shout