raise the dickens

raise the dickens

To cause or get into trouble; to engage in unrestrained and excessively disruptive behavior. I started raising the dickens as soon as I was in college and could do what I wanted, but I mellowed out after I graduated. The customer has been raising the dickens about the service charge we included on his bill.See also: dickens, raise

raise the dickens (with someone or something)

to act in some extreme manner; to make trouble; to behave wildly; to be very angry. John was out all night raising the dickens. That cheap gas I bought really raised the dickens with my car's engine.See also: dickens, raise