# make a racket

CEFR B2 · Idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/make-a-racket
Updated: 2026-08-02

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- The neighbors are making a racket with their loud music.
- I couldn't get any sleep last night because the foxes were making a racket in the garden.
- The construction crew began making a racket at dawn, effectively ending any hope of a quiet morning for the residents.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The children were making racket in the hall." but "The children were making a racket in the hall." — the idiom requires the indefinite article 'a' before the noun 'racket'.

## Usage notes

- 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'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.