Staub aufwirbeln

Meaning: To cause trouble or create a dramatic disturbance.

Literally: To stir up dust

Example: “Der Bericht über das Trinkwasser hat viel Staub aufgewirbelt.” — The report on the drinking water kicked up quite a fuss.

English equivalent: To kick up a fuss

Equivalents in other languages

English: kick up a fuss

Origin: On the unpaved roads of earlier times, a fast carriage always threw up a cloud of dust that hung in the air long after it had passed, announcing that something had happened. A report or a scandal that wirbelt Staub auf stirs up a commotion in the same way.

More German idioms

ein Esel schimpft den andern Langohr A person criticizes another for the same fault they themselves possess.
außer Rand und Band geraten To lose control and behave wildly or unruly.
feucht hinter den Ohren Young, inexperienced, or naive.
alles im grünen Bereich sein Everything is functioning well or is satisfactory.
ein Liedchen singen können To have direct, personal knowledge of something through lived experience.
sein Damaskus erleben To undergo a sudden, transformative spiritual or moral awakening.

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Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

Bekommen Actually means 'to receive' or 'to get'. To become is werden.
Rat Actually means 'advice' or 'counsel'. A rat (the rodent) is eine Ratte.
See Actually means 'lake' (der See) or 'sea' (die See). To see is sehen.

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Equivalents in other languages

More idioms — Nature

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