make waves

Derived from disruptions caused by waves in water.

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make waves (third-person singular simple present makes waves, present participle making waves, simple past and past participle made waves)

1. (idiomatic) To cause a disturbance.
2. (idiomatic) To upset the status quo.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make,‎ wave.

• (upset the status quo): rock the boat; see also Thesaurus:nonconform

• ruffle some feathers