raise the devil

raise the devil

To cause or get into trouble; to engage in unrestrained and excessively disruptive behavior. I started raising the devil 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 devil about the service charge we included on his bill.
See also: devil, raise
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

raise the devil (with something)

 and raise hell (with something)
to cause trouble with something. That idea raises hell with my plan. The onions raised the devil with my stomach.
See also: devil, raise
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

raise the devil

see under raise Cain.
See also: devil, raise
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

raise the devil

make a noisy disturbance. informal
See also: devil, raise
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

raise the devil

verb
See raise the devil with someone
See also: devil, raise

raise the devil

verb
See raise the devil with something
See also: devil, raise
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

raise

Cain/the devil/hell
1. To behave in a rowdy or disruptive fashion.
2. To reprimand someone angrily.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • raise the dickens
  • Cain
  • raise
  • raise Cain
  • raise Cain, to
  • raise Cain/hell
  • hell around
  • lift/raise the roof
  • raise the roof
  • raise the roof, to
References in classic literature
Have a care; for if you do raise the devil within me, the consequences shall fall heavily upon your own head!'
Raise the devil horns, undo your ponytail and get ready to bang your head as the Rock Nation Festival kicks off this Saturday.
He was also allegedly imbued with the power to "raise the Devil".