stir things up

USAGE SUMMARY

"stir things up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean causing or encouraging change, such as in a situation or environment that has become stagnant. For example, "The new manager was brought in to stir things up and revive the company's flagging sales performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Why stir things up, she asks.

The New York Times

"Did he stir things up?" Mr. Bloomberg said Tuesday.

The New York Times

He's going to look to stir things up".

The New York Times - Sports

"There is a clear political purpose to stir things up".

The Guardian

How you stir things up is up to you.

The New York Times - Food

"I think editors like to stir things up," she said.

The New York Times

"Did we try to stir things up maybe last game?" Crosby said Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Iran wants to stir things up," claims Serhat Temel, Batman's BDP mayor.

The Economist

But he said the government might "throw it into the press release and stir things up".

The New York Times

"Did we try to stir things up maybe last game?" Crosby said.

The New York Times

"They're content and sort of placid, and they need to stir things up".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stir things up" when you want to convey the idea of initiating change or causing excitement in a situation that has become stagnant or uneventful.

Common error

Avoid using "stir things up" when you intend to describe gentle improvements or minor adjustments; it implies a more significant and potentially disruptive intervention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stir things up" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's primarily used to describe the act of creating excitement, causing trouble, or initiating change within a particular situation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stir things up" is a common and versatile idiom used to describe the act of creating change, excitement, or even trouble in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, most notably in News & Media. While its usage is generally neutral, careful consideration of the specific context is crucial, as it can occasionally carry negative connotations. When needing alternative expressions, consider options like "shake things up" or "instigate change", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shake things up

This alternative emphasizes a more radical or disruptive change.

mix things up

This suggests a more general alteration or diversification, not necessarily controversial.

spark things up

Focuses on initiating activity or enthusiasm.

instigate change

This formally suggests initiating or prompting a shift in the current state.

create a buzz

This suggests generating excitement or attention, often positive.

rock the boat

Implies causing disruption or controversy, often challenging the status quo.

make waves

Similar to rocking the boat, suggesting causing disturbance or attracting attention.

challenge the status quo

Directly implies questioning and attempting to change established norms.

provoke discussion

This focuses on starting a debate or conversation, potentially contentious.

foment discord

This indicates deliberately causing conflict or disagreement.

FAQs

What does "stir things up" mean?

The phrase "stir things up" generally means to cause excitement, trouble, or strong reactions, often with the intention of initiating change or challenging the current state of affairs.

How can I use "stir things up" in a sentence?

You can use "stir things up" to describe someone who intentionally creates controversy or someone who brings fresh ideas to a stale situation. For example, "The new CEO was hired to "shake things up"".

Are there any negative connotations to "stir things up"?

Yes, "stir things up" can have negative connotations, especially when it implies causing unnecessary trouble or conflict. It depends on the context and the intention behind the action. Alternatively, you may decide to "mix things up".

What's a more formal way to say "stir things up"?

In a more formal setting, you could use phrases like "instigate change", "catalyze action", or "challenge the status quo" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.