make waves

M

make waves (idiom)
/meɪk weɪvz/

Meaning

• create a disturbance or controversy, often by challenging the status quo.
• attract attention, especially in a way that causes disruption or brings significant change.
• provoke a reaction, often in a negative or confrontational way.
• bring about noticeable change or innovation in a field or situation.
• cause trouble or upset by speaking or acting against established norms or expectations.

Example Sentences

1. She didn’t want to make waves at the meeting, so she kept her opinion to herself.
2. His new ideas have really started to make waves in the tech industry.
3. By protesting the policy changes, the employees made waves at the company.
4. You shouldn’t make waves unless you’re ready to handle the consequences.
5. The artist’s controversial exhibit made waves in the local art community.

Variant

• make a splash (similar meaning, but often with positive connotations)

Origin and History

The idiom “make waves” is a relatively modern expression, primarily emerging in the mid-20th century, though its roots stretch back further in terms of its literal and metaphorical significance.

Nautical Beginnings

The earliest concept of “making waves” likely stems from maritime imagery. Ships cutting through water leave ripples, or waves, in their wake, symbolizing movement, disruption, or significant impact. This literal depiction of creating disturbances in calm water evolved into the idiomatic sense of causing a noticeable stir in social, political, or cultural arenas. The phrase then took on a figurative meaning, denoting someone who causes disruption or stirs controversy in established settings, similar to how a ship stirs the still waters as it moves forward.

Mid-20th Century Usage

The figurative use of “make waves” first gained popularity in the 1960s. This period was characterized by widespread social and political upheaval, especially in the United States, and the idiom began to describe individuals or movements that challenged the status quo. Civil rights activism, protests against the Vietnam War, and broader cultural shifts helped solidify the phrase as shorthand for causing significant, often disruptive, change. As a result, the idiom resonated deeply with societal movements striving for progress, echoing the call for individuals to “rock the boat” or “challenge the system.”

Alternative Theories

Some linguists also suggest a possible connection between “making waves” and the rise of surfing culture, which also gained prominence in the 1960s. Surfing, a sport closely tied to navigating and creating waves, metaphorically aligned with the era’s countercultural movements. While this theory is less substantiated by direct evidence, the coincidence of surfing’s growth alongside the idiom’s increasing use in colloquial language offers an intriguing perspective.

Earliest Recorded Usage

The exact first printed use of “make waves” in a figurative sense is unclear, though records from the 1960s suggest it became widely recognized in American English during that time. A search through Google Ngram shows that the phrase starts to appear in published literature around 1963, with notable increases in usage in subsequent decades as it became embedded in popular culture. However, the phrase likely existed in spoken language before it was formalized in print.

The Bottom Line

“Make waves” evolved from its literal maritime roots to become a powerful idiom symbolizing disturbance and significant change. Though primarily American in origin, its widespread adoption reflects universal concepts of innovation, disruption, and the quest for progress. The idiom continues to be used in various contexts, from politics to business, representing individuals or actions that create significant impact or controversy. Whether derived purely from nautical terminology or influenced by cultural shifts like surfing, the idiom remains a vibrant part of the English lexicon.

Synonyms

1. rock the boat
2. stir the pot
3. shake things up
4. ruffle feathers

Controversy