making a scandal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a scandal" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or causing a scandal, but it is more typical to use "causing a scandal" instead. Example: "The politician was accused of making a scandal with his controversial remarks."

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Making a scandal-plagued Canadian government more likely than the World Cup.

Vice

What makes a scandal scandalous?

The Guardian - Music

To make a scandal is easy.

The Guardian - Music

People try and make a scandal out of it but it's just a joke, nobody is upset about it.

The Guardian - Sport

"In my opinion, this is an attempt to make a scandal out of nothing," Mr. Chulkov told a government newspaper, Rossiskaya Gazeta.

The New York Times

She'd told herself that one day she would put it in a book, not to make a scandal — as if anyone would care!

The New Yorker

"We made a scandal and nearly caused a riot, we were so insistent," said a 40-year-old-man who had left El Salado early on Friday because he had business in town.

The New York Times

And even if it does seem like there has been, in the electronic footprint age, a notable increase in scandals, there really is a line between ordinary lives of rationalized peccadillos and compartmentalized dysfunction and the other sort of dysfunction: an operatic dysfunction, that creates a narrative which really does make a scandal.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It would help them I think as well as the public if they were really able to really talk about those issues and not pretend everything in the garden was lovely - it's not as if they are facing a really hostile press here that would jump on every cough and splutter and try to make a scandal out of it," he said.

BBC

Lodwick's girlfriend, Julia Allison (who made a scandal at our August Capital party last summer – see video here), wrote a blog post saying "Dear Jakob, I wish I hadn't found out you left the company you've been with for the last seven years from your blog.

TechCrunch

But what makes a scandal a scandal?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "causing" or "creating" for greater impact when describing the act of initiating a scandal. For instance, instead of saying "The politician was accused of "making a scandal"", opting for "The politician was accused of "causing a scandal"" or "creating a scandal" might be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "making a scandal" when the subject is not actively initiating the scandal, but rather is caught up in one. In such cases, phrases like "being involved in a scandal" or "becoming embroiled in a scandal" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a scandal" functions as a verbal phrase where "making" is the verb and "a scandal" is the direct object. The phrase indicates the action of causing or creating a scandal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making a scandal" refers to the action of creating or causing a scandalous situation. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not the most common or impactful way to express this idea. Alternatives like ""causing a scandal"" or "creating a scandal" are generally preferred. The phrase is mostly found in news and media contexts, and its usage indicates a neutral register. Therefore, while "making a scandal" is understandable, choosing stronger verbs can enhance clarity and impact. Remember to focus the action in generating and the negative impact that a scandal carries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causing a scandal

Replaces "making" with "causing", emphasizing the act of bringing about the scandal.

creating a scandal

Replaces "making" with "creating", focusing on the origination of the scandal.

generating a scandal

Similar to creating, but can also imply an unintended consequence.

stirring up a scandal

Adds the element of actively agitating or provoking a scandal.

precipitating a scandal

Suggests the action hastened or triggered a scandal.

fabricating a scandal

Implies the scandal is false or invented.

igniting a scandal

Emphasizes the sudden and intense emergence of the scandal.

being at the center of a scandal

Shifts focus to the person or entity involved, rather than the act of creating.

fomenting a scandal

Suggests deliberate incitement of a scandal.

becoming embroiled in a scandal

Focuses on the involuntary involvement in a scandal.

FAQs

What's a better alternative to saying "making a scandal"?

Alternatives like ""causing a scandal"", "creating a scandal", or "stirring up a scandal" can be used depending on the context and the level of intensity you wish to convey.

Is "making a scandal" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, "making a scandal" is not as common or impactful as alternatives like ""causing a scandal"" or "creating a scandal".

When should I use "making a scandal" versus "being involved in a scandal"?

"Making a scandal" should be used when the subject is actively initiating or creating the scandal. "Being involved in a scandal" is more appropriate when the subject is caught up in a scandal not of their own making.

What does it mean to "make a scandal"?

To "make a scandal" means to create or cause a situation that results in widespread outrage, condemnation, or disgrace. It implies an active role in bringing about the scandalous event.