stir up difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stir up difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or situations that create problems or complications. Example: "The new policy changes are likely to stir up difficulties for the employees trying to adapt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With so many pressing international problems, why should any outsider stir up difficulties over Tibet now?(Picture credit: AFP).

The Economist

She says that certain members of the former management continue to stir up difficulties to fuel their agenda of "finding a way back into the company at all costs – at any cost".

The Guardian - Business

At the same time, outsiders are preoccupied by the prospect of maritime disputes with China in the East China Sea, over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, or in the South China Sea.With so many pressing international problems, why should any outsider stir up difficulties over Tibet now?(Picture credit: AFP).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Word of William's defeat at Gerberoi stirred up difficulties in northern England.

Wikipedia

She would stir up trouble.

The New Yorker

The producers tried to stir up trouble.

The New York Times

Fears remain that UMNO supporters might stir up trouble.

The Economist

Once again it stirred up trouble.

The New York Times

They brawled, cursed and stirred up trouble.

The New York Times - Sports

SMFG may soon stir up more trouble.

The Economist

It has not put the matter behind the university; it has stirred up more difficulty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stir up difficulties", consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the intentionality and impact of the action. It often implies a deliberate or negligent act that leads to complications.

Common error

Avoid using "stir up difficulties" when the problems arise unintentionally or naturally. Instead, opt for phrases like "encounter challenges" or "face obstacles" to better reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stir up difficulties" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action. It suggests that someone or something is actively creating or exacerbating problems. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stir up difficulties" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe actions that create or worsen problems. While relatively rare in occurrence, it's primarily found in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English when describing actions or situations that create problems or complications. When using this phrase, consider its implication of deliberate or negligent actions and opt for alternative phrases like "cause problems" or "exacerbate issues" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause problems

Directly indicates the creation of issues, maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

create trouble

Uses a more informal term ("trouble") for difficulties, slightly decreasing the formality.

generate issues

Similar to 'cause problems' but slightly more formal and technical.

exacerbate issues

Implies making existing problems worse, adding an element of intensification.

provoke complications

Emphasizes the act of instigating or initiating complex problems.

foment discord

Suggests stirring up conflict and disagreement, a more specific type of difficulty.

instigate problems

Focuses on the starting or triggering of problems, shifting the emphasis.

precipitate challenges

Suggests hastening the arrival of challenges, adding a temporal aspect.

breed conflict

Suggests difficulties that escalate from disagreement, similar to foment discord.

invite problems

Implies actions that inadvertently lead to difficulties, changing the intentionality.

FAQs

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

You can use "stir up difficulties" to describe actions that create problems or complications. For example: "The new policy changes are likely to stir up difficulties for the employees trying to adapt."

What are some alternatives to "stir up difficulties"?

Alternatives include "cause problems", "create trouble", or "exacerbate issues", depending on the context.

Is "stir up difficulties" a formal expression?

"Stir up difficulties" has a neutral tone and can be used in various contexts, including news and media. However, for more formal settings, consider alternatives like "provoke complications".

What is the difference between "stir up difficulties" and "encounter challenges"?

"Stir up difficulties" implies an action that creates problems, whereas "encounter challenges" suggests facing problems that already exist. The former suggests initiation, while the latter suggests confrontation of pre-existing issues.