ripple of protest

ripple of protest

1. A low murmur or series of murmurs complaining about or protesting against something. There was a ripple of protest or two among the staff when we announced the cutbacks, but pretty much everyone recognized that the company would go under without them. News of the school's decision sent ripples of protest through the crowded auditorium
2. A small, understated, or ineffective action or series of actions in protest of something. There have been a few ripples of protest in the streets following the passing of the controversial legislation, but they were quickly quelled by police.
See also: of, protest, ripple
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ripple of protest

quiet remarks protesting something; a small amount of subdued protest. There was only a ripple of protest about the new tax law. The rude comedian hardly drew a ripple of protest.
See also: of, protest, ripple
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • effect
  • mutter
  • mutter (something) under (one's) breath
  • welcome to my world
  • hypothesize on
  • hypothesize on (something)
  • without a murmur
  • squeaking wheel gets the oil
  • squeaky wheel gets the grease
  • the squeaking wheel gets the grease
References in periodicals archive
When Erdoy-an's security staff roughed up journalists and peaceful protestors in Washington in 2016, there was barely a ripple of protest. In 2017, his security detail did it again, in a far bloodier attack.
US and Turkey heading towards an angry and unhappy divorce
The $688 million payment the first since this summer, covering food, ammunition and other expenses from June through November 2011 has caused barely a ripple of protest since it was sent to Capitol Hill on Dec.
Pentagon to Reimburse Pakistan $688 Million
Now they are angry, voting against the main political parties and potentially triggering a ripple of protest that will spread to Europe's at-risk economies such as Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Starving, sick children.. men scavenging in bins for food .. thousands living on the streets.. and this is GREECE; EUROPE IN CRISIS FINANCIAL MELTDOWN
Now more than a third of people are officially at risk of poverty - and they are angry and voting against the main two parties, potentially triggering a ripple of protest that could spread to Spain, Italy and Portugal.
THE AGONY & L'ECSTASY; Greek cuts leave kids starving in streets
He then shocked his listeners by declaring that the London RDA would continue, producing a ripple of protest around the room at the Financing Recovery conference.
RDAs will go - except London's, say Tories
viewers were hoodwinked because trials were not dangerous and the jungle location was a "glorified film set", it barely caused a ripple of protest and ITV dismissed his "ludicrous" claims.
Faking liberties; EXCLUSIVE TV TRICKERY