ENGLISH
REFERENCE

make a racket

idiom.
Definition

idiom. to make a lot of loud, annoying, or unpleasant noise.

idiom. to produce a loud, disturbing, and typically unnecessary noise. The noun 'racket' functions as a singular countable noun in this idiomatic construction.


SIMPLE

The neighbors are making a racket with their loud music.

CONTEXTUAL

I couldn't get any sleep last night because the foxes were making a racket in the garden.

COMPLEX

The construction crew began making a racket at dawn, effectively ending any hope of a quiet morning for the residents.

Usage

usually used in the singular with the indefinite article 'a'.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'make a noise' to show that 'racket' implies the sound is specifically loud and irritating; it is more descriptive than the neutral 'noise'.

Pitfall

The children were making racket in the hall.The children were making a racket in the hall.the idiom requires the indefinite article 'a' before the noun 'racket'.

Last updated August 2, 2026