stirring

Related to stirring: stirring up

shit-stir

rude slang To take actions that contribute to or exacerbate a tense or otherwise difficult situation. Ryan's been known to shit-stir, so I'm not surprised he was around when that fight just happened to break out. If you want a drama-free party, don't invite Kaitlin—she always seems to be shit-stirring.

stir (one's) blood

To put one into a state of extreme excitement, enthusiasm, or determination. The president's famous speech still stirs my blood to this day. The show ends with a rousing musical number that is sure to stir your blood!
See also: blood, stir

stir a hornet's nest

1. To create, provoke, or trigger a dangerous, troublesome, or complicated situation. The government's military interventions really just stirred a hornet's nest in the region.
2. To provoke or instigate a lot of very angry or offended reactions. The politician's off-the-cuff remark about pollution stirred a hornet's nest among environmentalists.
See also: nest, stir

stir around

1. To mix or move something around in or as in a liquid suspension, especially to mix together its ingredients or parts. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "stir" and "around." He stirred the mixture around before pouring it out into the mold. I stirred around the ingredients with a large wooden spoon. She put the flowers in the vase and stirred them around to freshen them up a bit.
2. To move or shift around (some place) in slight or irregular motions. He stirred around restlessly, clearly discomfited by her questions. She stirred around the office for a bit, before finally picking up a folder that contained my file in it.
See also: around, stir

stir in

To combine something into a liquid, substance, or mixture by stirring. A noun or pronoun can be used between "stir" and "in." You need to stir the oil in very slowly so that it mixes properly with the egg yolks. She stirred in a bit of honey to make the medicine taste a little better.
See also: stir

stir into (something)

1. To combine something into a liquid, substance, or mixture by stirring. A noun or pronoun is used between "stir" and "into." You need to stir the oil into the whisked egg yolks very slowly or the mixture will separate. She stirred a bit of honey into the medicine to make it taste a little better.
2. To excite, rouse, or provoke someone into some state or condition. A noun or pronoun is used between "stir" and "into." The politician stirred the crowd into a frenzy with her rhetoric. His invigorating words stirred us all into action.
See also: stir

stir shit

rude slang To cause trouble and conflict. Quit stirring shit! I know you're the one spreading rumors about me! Somebody is bound to stir shit at Thanksgiving dinner—it happens every year.
See also: shit, stir

stir the blood

To put someone into a state of extreme excitement, enthusiasm, or determination. The president's famous speech still stirs the blood to this day. The show ends with a rousing musical number that is sure to stir the blood!
See also: blood, stir

stir the possum

To instigate or propagate something controversial, incendiary, or divisive. Primarily heard in Australia. The MP has been accused of stirring the possum with her social media post about the evils of same-sex marriage. I know this is likely to stir the possum, but I have to say my piece about how spoilt and sheltered kids are today.
See also: possum, stir

stir the pot

To exacerbate a tense or otherwise difficult situation. A: "Why must you always stir the pot and bring up politics at family functions?" B: "Because it's fun to watch everyone get all riled up!" If you want a drama-free party, don't invite Kaitlin—she loves to stir the pot.
See also: pot, stir

stir to (something)

1. To cause liquid, substance, or mixture to enter some state by stirring. A noun or pronoun is used between "stir" and "to." He stirred the milk to a steaming froth. You must stir the mixture to a thick, viscous consistency before it is ready to be spread on the cake.
2. To excite, rouse, or provoke someone into some state or condition. A noun or pronoun is used between "stir" and "to." The politician stirred the crowd to a frenzy with her rhetoric. His invigorating words stirred us all to action.
See also: stir

stir up

1. To stir something with a tool or utensil, especially to mix together its ingredients or parts. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "stir" and "up." He stirred the mixture up before pouring it out into the mold. Make sure to stir up the curry before you serve it.
2. To create as a result of stirring or agitating, or to cause to become churned or distributed in a chaotic way. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "stir" and "up." Stop it, your stirring up a whole cloud of soot doing that! You're probably sneezing because the wind has been stirring up all the pollen.
3. To rouse, incite, or provoke something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "stir" and "up." Quit stirring up trouble! The mayor has been stirring up controversy again with another inflammatory remark. The old movie stirred emotions up in me that I'd long forgotten.
4. To incense, agitate, or anger someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "stir" and "up." He's just attempting to stir up his followers and distract from the scandal. Nothing stirs my students up as much as when I assign homework over the weekend.
See also: stir, up

stir up a hornet's nest

1. To create, provoke, or trigger a dangerous, troublesome, or complicated situation. The government's military interventions really just stirred up a hornet's nest in the region.
2. To provoke or instigate a lot of very angry or offended reactions. The politician's off-the-cuff remark about pollution stirred up a hornet's nest among environmentalists.
See also: nest, stir, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stir someone up

Fig. to get someone excited; to get someone angry. (Fig. on stir something up.) The march music really stirred the audience up. The march stirred up the audience.
See also: stir, up

stir something around

to agitate or mix a liquid substance by moving it in a circular motion. stir the mixture around to mix it up. You should stir the dressing around a bit before you serve it.
See also: around, stir

stir something up

 
1. Lit. to mix something by stirring. Please stir the pancake batter up before you use it. Please stir up the batter.
2. Fig. to cause trouble. Why are you always trying to stir trouble up? Are you stirring up trouble again?
See also: stir, up

stir up a hornet's nest

Fig. to create a lot of trouble. (Fig. on stir something up .) If you say that to her, you will be stirring up a hornet's nest. There is no need to stir up a hornet's nest.
See also: nest, stir, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

stir up

1. Mix together the ingredients or parts, as in He stirred up some pancake batter, or Will you stir up the fire? [Mid-1300s]
2. Rouse to action, incite, provoke, as in He's always stirring up trouble among the campers, or If the strikers aren't careful they'll stir up a riot. [First half of 1500s] Also see stir up a hornets' nest.
See also: stir, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

stir up a hornet's nest

If you stir up a hornet's nest, you do something that makes a lot of people very upset and angry. He has been asking a lot of questions and stirring up a hornet's nest around town. I seem to have stirred up a hornet's nest with my article about the teaching of Shakespeare in schools. Note: Sometimes people just talk about a hornet's nest. It's not that companies are unaware of illegal software. It's more that they are scared of uncovering a hornet's nest — they would simply rather not know. Wasserman had no idea what a hornet's nest he was stepping into. Note: A hornet is a large wasp with a powerful sting.
See also: nest, stir, up
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

stir the possum

stir up controversy; liven things up. Australian informal
See also: possum, stir
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

stir in

v.
To introduce something, such as an ingredient, into a liquid or mixture while stirring: The fruit punch tasted a bit bland, so I stirred in a cup of grape juice. Once the sauce is simmering, stir some parsley in.
See also: stir

stir up

v.
1. To mix something before cooking or use: You must stir up the concrete thoroughly before you start paving the path. I poured the batter into a bowl and stirred it up vigorously.
2. To churn or agitate something into a state of turbulence: The storm stirred up the normally placid lake. The wind stirs the leaves up.
3. To cause something to form by churning or agitating: The truck zoomed off, stirring a cloud of dust up behind it. I stirred up a batch of concrete in the mixer and got to work paving the driveway.
4. To rouse the emotions of someone or something; excite someone or something: The protesters hope to stir up the public through this demonstration. The teacher stirred the students up when she threatened to give them more work.
5. To summon some collective emotion or sentiment by exciting a group of people: The court's verdict was certain to stir up controversy. The tourism board is trying to stir up interest in the city.
6. To evoke some mental image or remembrance: That old picture stirs up many memories for me.
See also: stir, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
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  • fan
References in periodicals archive
In this study, the Non-Newtonian fluid was considered to determine particle distribution during the stirring process.
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Add chicken and cream and cook for about 10 minutes or until the chicken is tender and cooked through, stirring regularly.
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Sprinkle in flour and paprika, stir to coat the meat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until any raw flour taste has cooked off, about 1 to 2 minutes.
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The benefit of shaking, though, is that it aerates juice and cream, and will mix thicker ingredients like egg whites or honey more efficiently than stirring. Aerated juice tastes better, and the texture of cream drinks is lightened during shaking; think whipped cream.
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The machine also incorporates only one stirring cup, so if it must be taken down, there is no back up.
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Whisk the tempered egg yolk mixture into the hot cream and place over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture coats the back of the spoon.
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Organic solvents and chemical mixtures often pose a hazard in your lab because standard heating and stirring equipment can ignite fumes at medium to high temperatures.
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Add the onions and simmer, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes, or until softened.
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Add dry ingredients to cereal mixture, stirring only until combined.
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Though stirring the latex can sometimes alleviate clumping, "these particles, once swollen with styrene monomer, are soft and sticky," explains John Vanderhoff, co-director of Lehigh's Emulsion Polymers Institute and a project leader for the space manufacturing project.
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Pour in the oil, and when it shimmers, stir in the onion, garlic, thyme and sage; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, for 8 minutes.
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Cook while stirring for less than a minute, then serve immediately.
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Add onions and cook on a medium flame for 10-12 mins, stirring often.
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Even though there is a lot of physical stirring of ingredients involved in the day (whether by hand or electric mixer), the name comes from a line in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer: 'Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people'.
How to cause a stir in the kitchen; jamie mcloughlin on a great christmas tradition
Add the flour and stir for one minute then reduce the heat to low and gradually pour in the stock, stirring well between additions, until all the stock has been added.
all the sage; MUSHROOM, SAGE AND GARLIC PASTA