make a noise

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a noise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to suggest making some kind of sound or to express that something is making a sound. For example: "The mooing cow made a noise that echoed in the valley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make a noise!

The New York Times

Amateurs arise — make a noise.

The New York Times

"Now they don't make a noise".

The Guardian - Sport

If enough people make a noise, change can happen.

The Guardian

"Make a noise at it, Mary," I said.

The Guardian - Books

"If you make a noise, Madam," he said, "I'll scream".

The New Yorker

"If you make a noise, Madam, I'll scream".

The New Yorker

But this time my crying didn't make a noise.

The New Yorker

They have started to make a noise and get heard.

The Guardian

Likely to make a noise come Oscar time.

The Guardian - Film

If you make a noise the beastie runs away.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging action against injustice, use "make a noise" to inspire vocal opposition and change.

Common error

Be careful not to use "make a noise" only in situations involving physical sound. It's often used figuratively to mean "cause a stir" or "draw attention."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a noise" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of creating sound or, more figuratively, causing a disturbance or expressing oneself. Ludwig confirms its usage across various contexts, from literal sound creation to figurative expressions of dissent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a noise" is a versatile expression with both literal and figurative meanings. Grammatically correct and very common, it functions as a verb phrase describing the action of creating sound or causing a stir. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, from describing physical sounds to encouraging vocal opposition. While generally neutral in register, it's most frequently found in News & Media sources. When using this phrase, be mindful of whether you intend a literal sound or a figurative expression of dissent. Alternatives like ""speak out"" or "create a sound" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create a sound

Focuses on the act of producing an audible sound.

generate sound

Emphasizes the production or origination of sound.

utter a sound

Highlights the action of speaking or making a vocal noise.

emit a noise

Stresses the act of releasing a sound from a source.

raise your voice

Suggests speaking louder or more emphatically to be heard.

speak out

Implies expressing opinions or protesting loudly.

make a peep

Indicates making even a small sound, often in a forbidden situation.

cause a disturbance

Focuses on creating a disruptive noise.

express yourself

Emphasizes making your opinions known or challenging the status quo.

kick up a fuss

Suggests making a loud complaint or objection.

FAQs

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

You can use "make a noise" in various contexts, such as encouraging someone to speak up (e.g., "If you disagree, "speak out" and make a noise") or describing something producing sound (e.g., "The engine started to make a noise").

What does it mean to "make a noise"?

To "make a noise" can literally mean to create sound. However, it is often used figuratively to suggest causing a disturbance, drawing attention to something, or "express yourself" strongly.

What can I say instead of "make a noise" to mean 'protest'?

If you want to convey the meaning of 'protest', consider using phrases like ""speak out"", "raise your voice", or "cause a disturbance".

Is it better to say "make a noise" or "create a sound"?

Both "make a noise" and "create a sound" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Make a noise" can imply causing a disturbance or drawing attention, while "create a sound" is more neutral and focuses on the act of producing sound.