trouble maker
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A person who habitually causes problems, difficulties, or disturbances, often by provoking conflict or breaking rules. This person deliberately stirs up trouble.
Usage
The term "trouble maker" (also written as "troublemaker") is used to label an individual whose actions are disruptive. It is commonly applied in contexts like schools, workplaces, communities, or social groups. It carries a negative connotation.
Examples
- The teacher asked the trouble maker to stop distracting the class.
- He gained a reputation as a trouble maker at work for constantly questioning management.
- The meeting was peaceful until a few trouble makers started shouting.
Advanced Usage
- "Agent provocateur": A more formal term, often used in political or espionage contexts, for a person who secretly encourages people to break the law so they can be arrested.
- "Instigator": A person who initiates or provokes an action or event, often negative. While similar, "instigator" can refer to a single act, whereas "trouble maker" implies a habitual pattern.
Variants and Related Words
- Troublemaker (n): The standard closed compound form. (Example: )
- Trouble-making (adj/n): Describing actions or behavior that cause trouble. (Example: )
Synonyms
- Mischief-maker: Often implies causing playful or annoying trouble rather than serious harm.
- Agitator: Often used for someone who stirs up public feeling, especially on political issues.
- Rabble-rouser: A person who stirs up the passions or prejudices of a group, typically for political reasons.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To stir up trouble: This is the verbal action of a trouble maker. (Example: )
- A bad apple: An idiom for a person who causes problems or has a negative influence within a group. (Example: )
Noun
- someone who deliberately stirs up trouble