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WAVES

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wave goodbye to (something)

To lose or end something, especially suddenly; to be forced to accept such a loss or end. You were caught drinking on school property? Well, you can wave goodbye to your brand new car, mister! After the final horse lost its race, I waved goodbye to all the money I'd won that day at the track. You do realize that you'll be waving goodbye to all the health insurance benefits the company has to offer if you decide to work as a freelancer?

See also: goodbye, wave

wave (a/the) white flag

To offer a sign of surrender or defeat; to yield or give in. After the prosecutors brought forward their newest evidence, the defendant waved the white flag and agreed to the plea bargain. We've been in negotiations for weeks, but it looks like the other company might finally be ready to wave a white flag.

See also: flag, wave, white

wave the bloody shirt

To encourage violence and animosity. The phrase was especially popular during the US Civil War. Primarily heard in US. A lot of people in our country are waving the bloody shirt right now, but I just can't support acts of violence, however justified they may be.

See also: bloody, shirt, wave

make waves

Sl. to cause difficulty. (Often in the negative.) Just relax. Don't make waves. If you make waves too much around here, you won't last long.

See also: make, WAVES

make waves

to shock or upset people with something new or different Her clothes have made waves on the fashion scene around the world.

Usage notes: often used in the form not make waves: We decided not to make waves with our parents and agreed to have a real wedding.

Related vocabulary: don't rock the boat

See also: make, WAVES

make waves

to change an existing situation in a way which causes problems or upsets people Some workers felt it was not the time to make waves by organizing a union. Our culture encourages us to fit the norm and not to make waves.

See also: make, WAVES

make waves

Cause a disturbance or controversy, as in We've finally settled our differences, so please don't make waves. This expression alludes to causing turbulence in the water. [Slang; mid-1900s] Also see rock the boat.

See also: make, WAVES

make waves

tv. to cause difficulty. (Often in the negative.) If you make waves too much around here, you won’t last long.

See also: make, WAVES

make waves

Slang

To cause a disturbance or controversy.

See also: make, WAVES