stir up
[verb]
Synonyms: incite, abet, foment, instigate, provoke, raise, set, set on, whip (up)

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Related Idioms: add fuel to the flame, apply the torch, feed the fire, pour oil on the fire, stir the embers

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

stir somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb (see also stir)

1. to deliberately try to cause arguments or bad feelings between people:
John was always stirring up trouble in class.
Dave’s just trying to stir things up because he’s jealous.

2. to make small pieces of something move around in the air or in water:
The wind had stirred up a powdery red dust.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

stir up
stir up (someone/something)
to cause a situation that upsets many people.
One official claimed that foreign activists were stirring up trouble.

The threat of censorship stirred up a hornet's nest of criticism on the Internet.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

stir up something
stir up (someone/something)
to cause a situation that upsets many people.
One official claimed that foreign activists were stirring up trouble.

The threat of censorship stirred up a hornet's nest of criticism on the Internet.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

stir something up
• stir (someone or something) up
to make someone angry or excited, to cause trouble
The man's angry words stirred up the crowd and made them very angry.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

stir up
• stir (someone or something) up
to make someone angry or excited, to cause trouble
The man's angry words stirred up the crowd and made them very angry.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

stir up
v.
1. To bring (something) into being, often by great exertion or activity; cause.
It was a quiet afternoon, and John tried to stir up some excitement.
Bob stirred up a fight between Tom and Bill.
Compare: WHIP UP².
2. To cause (someone) to act; incite to action or movement; rouse.
The coach's pep talk stirred up the team to win.
When Mary heard what Betty said about her, she became stirred up.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲