stirring the pot

USAGE SUMMARY

"stirring the pot" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone deliberately causing trouble or creating chaos, often by inciting conflict or controversy. Example: The politician was known for constantly stirring the pot by making inflammatory statements and spreading rumors about his opponents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

("When stirring the pot, just stir the pot").

The New York Times - Books

"Who's stirring the pot?

The New York Times

Conspiracy theorists will keep stirring the pot.

The Economist

Ms. Quinn has never shied from stirring the pot.

The New York Times

Always stirring the pot but, like, don't do ANYTHING?!

The New Yorker

Paul Flowers, remarkably, has succeeded in stirring the pot again.

The Guardian - Business

Mr Netanyahu may have reasons of his own for stirring the pot.

The Economist

With that many hands stirring the pot, fusion is the only way to go.

The New York Times - Food

So he likes the way Father Carter is stirring the pot at Victory.

The New York Times

MICHAEL BARRETT has such an easygoing presence that it's hard to imagine him stirring the pot.

The New York Times

Lladró, the Spanish producer of romantic figurines in milky shades of porcelain, has been stirring the pot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stirring the pot" when you want to convey that someone is intentionally causing trouble or controversy. It adds a vivid and relatable image to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "stirring the pot" when the intention is not to cause trouble. If someone is simply asking questions or raising awareness without deliberately trying to create conflict, a different phrase would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stirring the pot" is as a verbal phrase acting as a predicate, often describing someone's actions. Ludwig AI confirms it's a common idiom used to depict intentional troublemaking, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stirring the pot" is a very common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of intentionally causing trouble or controversy. Ludwig AI confirms that it is generally grammatically correct and widely understood, with examples primarily found in News & Media contexts. While useful for adding color to writing, it's important to consider the intent behind the action and avoid using it when a more neutral description is appropriate. Alternative phrases such as "inciting trouble" or "agitating the situation" may be more suitable in formal settings. The high usage frequency, as documented by Ludwig, underscores its relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instigating conflict

Highlights the act of initiating or provoking a conflict.

inciting trouble

Focuses on the action of provoking negative outcomes.

fanning the flames

Emphasizes worsening an existing conflict or problem.

agitating the situation

Highlights the act of making a situation more turbulent or tense.

provoking discord

Focuses on the intentional creation of disagreement or conflict.

creating a disturbance

Highlights the act of causing disruption or unrest.

rocking the boat

Suggests disrupting a stable or established situation.

making waves

Implies causing disruption or controversy, often through bold actions.

causing a ruckus

Emphasizes creating a noisy disturbance or commotion.

raising hackles

Focuses on provoking anger or irritation.

FAQs

How can I use "stirring the pot" in a sentence?

You can use "stirring the pot" to describe someone who is intentionally causing trouble or conflict. For example, "He's always "stirring the pot" with his controversial opinions".

What does "stirring the pot" mean?

"Stirring the pot" means to deliberately cause trouble, controversy, or excitement. It often implies that someone is intentionally trying to provoke a reaction from others.

What are some synonyms for "stirring the pot"?

Synonyms for "stirring the pot" include "inciting trouble", "agitating the situation", or "fanning the flames".

Is "stirring the pot" a formal or informal expression?

"Stirring the pot" is generally considered an informal expression, suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing. In more formal contexts, it's best to use more neutral language such as "creating conflict" or "provoking controversy".