Stirring up
/ˈstɜːrɪŋ ʌp/
B2present participle + particle
Definition
"Stirring up" is a phrase used to describe the action of causing something to begin or increase, especially feelings like anger, excitement, or trouble. It often means making a situation more active or intense by encouraging people or emotions to react strongly.
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See It in Action
Causing strong emotions or reactions in people
- •His speech was stirring up anger among the crowd.
- •She was stirring up excitement before the big event.
- •The news article stirred up fear in the community.
Creating or increasing trouble or problems
- •They were accused of stirring up trouble at the meeting.
- •He kept stirring up arguments between friends.
- •The protest was stirring up unrest in the city.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "stirring up" like "mix" (A1 word) but not just mixing food—it's mixing feelings or actions to make them stronger or more active.
- ✓Picture someone stirring a pot of soup, but instead of soup, they are mixing feelings like anger or excitement inside people.
- ✓It's the feeling when a small problem grows bigger because someone talks about it or acts in a way that makes others react.
- ✓Sounds like "stir ring up" → imagine a ring that stirs a pot from the bottom, making everything move and change quickly.
- ✓Think of stories where a character says something that makes others angry or excited, "stirring up" trouble or emotions.
- ✓NOT like "calm down" (make peaceful), "stirring up" makes things more active or tense.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (do nothing), "stirring up" means to start or increase action or feelings.
Try Other Words
- •Provoking: causing a strong reaction, often anger (Use when the reaction is mainly anger or annoyance)
- •Inciting: encouraging people to do something, usually negative (Use in formal or serious contexts about causing actions like protests or fights)
- •Arousing: causing feelings or emotions (Use when focusing on feelings like excitement or interest)
- •Fueling: making something stronger or bigger (Use when emphasizing increasing or supporting a situation or emotion)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "stir" (to mix or move around) + "up" (particle showing increase or direction)
- •Etymology: "stir" comes from Old English "styrian," meaning to move or mix; "up" adds the idea of making something stronger or higher
- •Historical development: The phrase "stir up" has been used for centuries to describe mixing things and, metaphorically, increasing feelings or problems
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe causing emotions or trouble, often in social or political contexts
Reflect & Connect
•When can stirring up emotions be helpful, and when can it be harmful?
•How does stirring up trouble differ from simply expressing your opinion?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician was accused of stirring up ___ among different groups to gain support.
2.Stirring up ___ can sometimes lead to peaceful protests, but other times it causes violence.
3.Unlike calming down a situation, stirring up ___ makes feelings stronger and louder.
4.She was careful not to stir up ___ during the sensitive meeting.
5.When someone is stirring up trouble, they often want to make others ___ or act.
6.The media can play a big role in stirring up ___ by how they report events.
7.Stirring up emotions often ___ a strong response from people nearby.