raise hell

[/reɪz hɛl/]
verb phrase
aprontar confusão, causar alvoroço, fazer bagunça
1. To create a disturbance, cause trouble, or behave wildly and recklessly
The teenagers raised hell at the party until the neighbors called the police.
Os adolescentes aprontaram confusão na festa até os vizinhos chamarem a polícia.
2. To complain loudly and angrily about something; to protest vehemently
She raised hell with the company after they overcharged her account.
Ela fez um barraco com a empresa depois que cobraram a mais em sua conta.
3. To engage in wild, reckless, or boisterous behavior
During college, he raised hell with his friends every weekend.
Durante a faculdade, ele aprontava confusão com seus amigos todos os fins de semana.
This is an informal, colloquial expression used in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese. In Brazil, 'aprontar confusão' and 'fazer bagunça' are commonly used among younger generations and in casual contexts. The phrase carries a connotation of youthful rebellion or justified anger. In American culture, 'raise hell' often refers to either wild partying or vehement protest against injustice. The expression is considered somewhat dated in formal contexts but remains popular in casual speech.
NYC Slang
Start beef, act crazy, stir the pot
Synonyms / Sinônimos
cause troublemake a scenecause a commotionkick up a fusscreate chaosact outbehave wildly
Antonyms / Antônimos
be well-behavedstay calmkeep quietmaintain order

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
aprontar confusão, fazer bagunça, causar alvoroço
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
fazer baderna, aprontar um barraco
Colloquial Rio dialect, more emphatic
São Paulo
causar confusão, fazer tumulto
Standard usage in São Paulo
Portugal
fazer uma confusão, causar alvoroço, armar uma cena
Portuguese European variant, slightly more formal phrasing

Related Words

troublemakermischiefchaosdisturbancecommotionruckus

Related Idioms & Phrases

raise the roof
kick up a fuss
blow off steam
go wild
paint the town red
let loose
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