PUT/SET THE CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS

To put/set the cat among the pigeons is to cause trouble by saying or doing something.

 Examples:

 “What has really set the cat among the pigeons with many residents, though, is the planned extension to the trams.”

 “London mayor Sadiq Khan put the cat among the pigeons last week when he called on ministers to allow him to impose rent caps in the capital.”

 “His will, however, set the cat among the pigeons.”


 This idiom dates back to the early 18th century [1].


 Photo credit: Ingrid Taylar (Creative Commons)

 [1] Knowles, Elizabeth. “cat” in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press, 2005.