kick up

phr.v. to cause a problem or start a big argument about something.

phr.v. to provoke or initiate a disturbance, fuss, or complaint. Often used with 'a fuss', 'a stink', or 'a row'.

“The customers began to kick up a fuss when they realized the flight was cancelled.”

“The local residents kicked up a massive row regarding the proposed construction of the new shopping centre in the green belt.”

Informal

phr.v. to raise the price or amount of something.

phr.v. to increase a price, rate, or quantity. Transitive and often used in commercial or financial contexts.

“The landlord decided to kick up the rent by another fifty dollars this month.”

“The central bank's decision to kick up interest rates caught many retail investors by surprise.”

American English · Informal

phr.v. to start acting in a bad way, like an old injury hurting again or a storm starting.

phr.v. to begin to function improperly or to increase in intensity. Used for illnesses, mechanical issues, or weather phenomena.

“My old knee injury started to kick up again after I went for a long run.”

“The wind began to kick up just as the sailors were attempting to moor the vessel in the harbour.”

Informal

phr.v. to send a decision or a problem to a person with more power than you.

phr.v. to refer a matter or proposal to a higher level of authority within a hierarchy.

“The manager couldn't solve the issue, so he had to kick it up to the director.”

“The legal team decided to kick the contract dispute up to the executive board for a final determination.”

Slang · Informal