make a fuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a fuss" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to create a disturbance or commotion regarding a particular issue. For example, "The mayor promised not to make a fuss about the new regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

20 Make a fuss.

The Guardian

Or you can make a fuss.

The New York Times

Better not make a fuss.

The Guardian

We don't make a fuss.

The Guardian

"We didn't want to make a fuss".

The Guardian - Sport

It's not the Nebraska way, apparently, to make a fuss.

The New Yorker

Women, it seems, are not supposed to make a fuss.

Independent

And if you drop it he won't make a fuss.

The New Yorker

There's just no need to make a fuss about it.

The New Yorker

People jailed for non-payment do not make a fuss.

Independent

Don't make a fuss about your pal's tweets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the impact, use it with qualifiers like "don't make a fuss" or "no need to make a fuss".

Common error

Avoid using "make a fuss" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more neutral phrases like "raise concerns" or "express reservations" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a fuss" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It describes the action of creating a disturbance or expressing discontent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

21%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a fuss" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of creating a disturbance or expressing complaint, frequently over a trivial matter. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. While versatile, its register leans toward informal, making it less appropriate for formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "raise concerns" or "object strenuously" might be better suited for professional contexts. Usage patterns show its prevalence in news and media, with lesser occurrence in formal business or scientific writing, underlining its informal nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kick up a stink

Implies a strong, often public, complaint or protest.

raise a ruckus

Suggests creating a noisy disturbance or commotion.

create a commotion

Similar to raising a ruckus, but can be less noisy.

make a scene

Focuses on creating a public display of emotion or disturbance.

complain loudly

Directly indicates expressing dissatisfaction in a forceful manner.

cause a stir

Emphasizes the act of creating excitement or controversy.

raise objections

Highlights the act of formally expressing disagreement or disapproval.

protest vehemently

Indicates a strong and passionate expression of opposition.

object strenuously

Highlights a forceful and determined objection.

express dissatisfaction

A more general term for showing unhappiness, less intense than "make a fuss".

FAQs

How can I use "make a fuss" in a sentence?

You can use "make a fuss" to describe someone creating a disturbance or expressing strong disagreement. For example, "He decided to "make a fuss" about the incorrect bill".

What does it mean to "make a fuss"?

To "make a fuss" means to create unnecessary excitement or concern about something, often by complaining or protesting.

What can I say instead of "make a fuss"?

You can use alternatives like "complain loudly", "raise objections", or "protest vehemently" depending on the context.

Is it better to "make a fuss" or remain silent?

Whether to ""make a fuss"" depends on the situation. If a genuine injustice has occurred, speaking up might be necessary. However, for minor issues, it might be better to remain silent to avoid unnecessary conflict.