start something


Cause trouble, especially a quarrel or fight, as in Stop bringing that up—do you want to start something? [Colloquial; early 1900s]

Words Nearby start something

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

How to use start something in a sentence

  • "You'd better keep those hands up," he went on quickly, as he saw the two rascals making a move as if to start something.

  • "Oh, we'll start something, leave it to us," said Roly Poly.

    Pee-Wee Harris Adrift | Percy Keese Fitzhugh
  • It would be approximate, of course, but it would give us a start—something more definite than we have now.

    In Her Own Right | John Reed Scott
  • To tell the truth, I was spoiling for a fight and I half wished they would start something.

    Outwitting the Hun | Pat O'Brien
  • "You go awn and start something—and you'll wisht you hadn't," they heard him croak from the big gate, and chuckled over his wrath.

    Flying U Ranch | B. M. Bower