What does the idiom "make waves" mean?
The phrase make waves is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of make waves.
Meaning of "make waves"
Meaning
The phrase “make waves” has two primary meanings. The first is to cause disruption or upset the status quo in a particular situation. It also means to be noticeable and stand out from the crowd. This can be either in a positive or a negative way.
Etymology
The phrase “make waves” has been around since at least the early 19th century. Its first known usage was in an 1817 novel written by John Quincy Adams. The phrase appeared in the novel The Renegade, where Adams wrote: “I began to make some stir, and create some little waves.” The phrase is likely derived from the visual example of throwing a stone into a pond and creating waves.
Usage
The phrase “make waves” is most often used to describe someone or something that is disruptive or causes a disturbance. It can also be used to describe someone or something that stands out from the crowd in a positive way. For example, someone who stands up for what they believe in, or who is making a daring decision, can be described as “making waves”.
Example Sentences
- My boss was not happy when I suggested a new way of doing things - I guess I made some waves.
- He made waves at the meeting by challenging the accepted opinion.
- She made waves when she became the first woman in her industry to be promoted to a high-level position.
- Tom's innovative ideas are making waves in the tech industry.
The universal role of idioms
"Kill two birds with one stone" is an English idiom that means to accomplish two things with a single action. In French, the similar idiom is "Faire d'une pierre deux coups," which translates to "To kill two birds with one stone." This idiom highlights the efficiency of completing two tasks with one action.
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