kick over the tracesto start behaving badly by refusing to accept any control or rules
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
kick over the traces v. phr. To break the rules; behave badly.
When their teacher was absent and they had a substitute, the children kicked over the traces. Compare: ACT UP, CUT UP, LET LOOSE, OUT OF HAND, RAISE CAIN.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲