ENGLISH
REFERENCE

make noise

idiom
Meaning

To scold, condemn, or criticize very harshly.


Origin

disputed origin

Sense 3 is likely a semantic loan from Tamil சத்தம் போடு (cattam pōṭu).

Examples
SIMPLE

The boss will make noise if you arrive late again.

CONTEXTUAL

The neighbors started to make noise when we played loud music after midnight.

COMPLEX

The public began to make noise regarding the senator's recent controversial policy decisions.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    box of toys

    [Cockney slang]noise

  2. 02

    cannot make it

    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  3. 03

    doctors make the worst patients

    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  4. 04

    enough to make a cat laugh

    Very outlandish or outrageous.

  5. 05

    enough to make the angels weep

    Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

  6. 06

    fine feathers make fine birds

    Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.

  7. 07

    food noise

    A mental preoccupation with food that is differentiable from hunger and from cravings but tends to urge people to overeat.

  8. 08

    it takes all kinds to make a world

    Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike; an expression of surprise at a person or people's eccentricity.

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