Meaning of "kick up a fuss"

[Lola]

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #95 "Letter of Complaint (2)", question 6

I remained calm although I believe I have every reason for ......... up a fuss.

(a) hitting
(b) kicking
(c) knocking
(d) striking

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #95 "Letter of Complaint (2)", answer 6

I remained calm although I believe I have every reason for kicking up a fuss.

Correct answer: (b) kicking

Your answer was: incorrect
I remained calm although I believe I have every reason for striking up a fuss.
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What is the difference between kicking and striking?

What is the meaning of "up a fuss"?

Thanks.

Lola

[Pamela]

Hi,Lola
There is such an expression to kick up a fuss that means to make a noise,to arrange a scandal.

[Yankee]

In the context of the sentence, kick up a fuss has the sense of "complain loudy and/or angrily".

Also, in the test sentence, the verb in question should be seen as the phrasal verb "kick up" (and just "kick").

You can also use "kick up" to mean "increase or intensify": The wind is kicking up.

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English