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raise cain

Meaning: To cause a disturbance, often because one is extremely angry; to make trouble.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: The Absurd

Origin: The word Cain in the expression refers to a Biblical character, the first son of Adam and Eve, who killed his brother Abel.

More idioms — The Absurd

  • run amok — To run around in a frenzied or disorderly way.
  • run something into the ground — To belabor something beyond reason; to go too far with something.
  • have a screw loose screw — To be harmlessly crazy.
  • shot in the dark — A guess, often wild or based on little information.
  • sleep like a log — To sleep so soundly that noise doesn't wake the person.
  • snowball's chance in hell — No chance at all.

More English idioms

  • rake someone raked over the coals — To reprimand or criticize someone harshly.
  • rank and file — The non-management workers in a company or the non-leadership members of a political part…
  • read something into something — To give some meaning to something that is not justified; to imagine some significance tha…
  • red herring — Something used to divert someone's attention from the real or important issue; something…
  • red-letter day — An important day; a day to remember.
  • red tape — The unnecessary paperwork and procedures of a complicated bureaucracy.

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