raise Cain
Synonym of raise hell.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The neighbors will raise Cain if you play music that loud.”
“When the manager announced the sudden budget cuts, the employees began to raise Cain in the meeting room.”
“The local residents threatened to raise Cain at the town hall assembly if the council proceeded with the controversial construction project.”
The expression references the biblical Cain, son of Adam and Eve, identified as the first murderer. To raise Cain is to theoretically summon him from the dead, thereby facilitating the return of his specific brand of violence to Earth.
- 01
raise eyebrows
To cause surprise.
- 02
raise hell
To cause a considerable disturbance.
- 03
raise one's eyebrows
Of a person, to be surprised.
- 04
raise one's voice
To speak loudly, especially in anger.
- 05
raise someone's hackles
To annoy or anger someone.
- 06
raise someone's shag
To anger or annoy someone.
- 07
raise someone's spirits
To make someone feel in a better mood
- 08
raise the bar
To raise standards or expectations, especially by creating something to a higher standard.
Last updated August 10, 2026