dovecote

a flutter in the dovecote

A stir or mild disturbance among a certain organization or group of people, especially one that is typically quiet, reserved, or conservative in nature. Likened to domestic pigeons fluttering their wings in response to an agitation (a dovecote being a structure built to house and raise them). The unexpected entrance of an exuberant young woman caused a bit of a flutter in the dovecote at the old Men's Only club.
See also: dovecote, flutter

flutter the dovecote

To cause a stir or mild disturbance among a certain organization or group of people, especially one that is typically quiet, reserved, or conservative in nature. Likened to domestic pigeons fluttering their wings in response to an agitation (a dovecote being a structure built to house and raise them). The exuberant young woman fluttered the dovecote of the old Men's Only club by bursting in unannounced.
See also: dovecote, flutter
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

flutter the dovecotes

alarm, startle, or upset a sedate or conventionally minded community.
This expression may come from Shakespeare's Coriolanus: ‘like an eagle in a dove-cote, I Fluttered your Volscians in Corioli’. Compare with put the cat among the pigeons (at cat).
1992 Daily Telegraph It is however the arrival of Michael Heseltine at the DTI that will flutter the dovecotes most of all.
See also: dovecote, flutter
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a flutter in the dovecote
  • flutter
  • flutter the dovecote
  • flutter the dovecotes
  • make a scene
  • cause a scene
  • create a scene
  • create/make a scene
  • make an uproar
  • stir into (something)
References in periodicals archive
Award-winning vegan beer producers Richard and Sue Green of Dovecote Brewery at the Salusbury Arms, Tremeirchion CRAIG COLVILLE
VEGAN BEER LANDS TOP AWARD
For a limited time only, Story Homes is offering the chance to reserve the Hastings at Dovecote Place for just PS99, plus a high quality flooring package.
Last chance to buy luxurious new home
Dovecote Park employs around 680 staff at its sites in Darrington (Yorkshire) and Skellingthorpe (Lincolnshire) to produce the required daily quantities.
Skin packaging keeps product fresh twice as long
Children of all nationalities are welcome in Dovecote Nursery where multi-lingual staff selected for their British teaching background will prepare them for their early school years by transforming them into confident and independent pupils.
Dovecote Nursery opens in Shatti
Usually made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), we also specified that Dovecote's containers should instead be manufactured from polypropylene (PP) for improved performance on automated conveyor systems."
Dovecote beefs up production with schoeller
The Old Dovecote is for sale for offers over PS250,000.
Property is full of surprises and character
"I would urge other processors to look at what can be achieved by making long-term commitments to their suppliers, similar to Dovecote Park.
Presidential summit in London on beef prices
Another wrote: "It's a shame these *** thought you was someone else - in the Dovecote as well."
SHOT THREE TIMES IN THE HEAD AT PUB
The shooting happened at around 5.45pm on Friday at the Dovecote pub in Cockshut Hill.
Police Hunt Gunman after Birmingham Pub Murder
William Hill Dovecote Novices' Hurdle 3.15 Kempton 2m Grade 2 C4/RUK Card page 64 THREE four-year-olds have shunned the Adonis and beaten their elders in the last four runnings of the William Hill Dovecote Novices' Hurdle and JCB Triumph Hurdle hope Lac Fontana attempts to do the same on his second British outing.
Classy Lac Fontana has chance to gatecrash Nicholls Triumph team
Richards identified the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton as the likely port of call for the fiveyear-old after his latest win at Kelso a month ago, but is now considering whether to let his charge return to the Borders track next week.
UN ATOUT FANCIES A FESTIVAL
Evil Ricky Preddie, 23, is serving the end of a ten year sentence at Dovecote Prison, Staffordshire, for the brutal murder of 10-year-old schoolboy Damilola Taylor, back in 2000.
Damilola killer claims pounds 100,000
And also Holyhead Mountain Hut Circles, Caer Gybi Roman Fortlet, Caer Leb, St Seiriol's Well, Penmon Cross, Priory and Dovecote on Anglesey, Derwen Churchyard Cross.
Cadw opens sites to dogs
It has been adopted by Dovecote Park, a supplier and processor of British beef for Waitrose, to move product directly and easily line-side, without the use of pump trucks.
Pallying around
Local technology supplier to the retail sector, Cybertill Group Limited, has relocated from offices in St Helens and taken approximately 2,600sq ft of space, while solicitors Parry & Company have relocated from Frodsham and taken a further 2,500 sq ft at Dovecote Court on Stanley Grange.
Grange welcomes new businesses; Industrial & commercial property