Raise Cain

From Fresh Dictionary

1 English
- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Verb phrase
  - 1.2.1 Synonyms

English

Etymology

Cain refers to the biblical son of Adam and Eve, the first murderer. The expression (also sometimes raise Hell or raise the Devilmeans to bring or return that evil to Earth.

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Verb phrase

to raise Cain

((idiomatic{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) to cause trouble
If those boys have been out drinking and raising Cain again tonight...
((idiomatic{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) to behave in a disruptive manner
I seen old Flint in the corner there, behind you; as plain as print, I seen him; and if I get the horrors, I'm a man that has lived rough, and I'll raise Cain. - Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson