Francophonie· medium
chercher noise
“to look for noise (an old French word)”
Meaning
to go out of one's way to start an argument with someone
Explanation
Used for someone deliberately stirring up trouble or looking for a reason to fall out with someone.
Example
Il n'arrête pas de me chercher noise pour des broutilles.
He keeps trying to start a fight with me over the smallest things.
Origin
The word "noise" meant a racket or commotion back in the 11th century, coming from the Latin "nausea" (seasickness), before drifting to mean a quarrel. The expression itself is on record from the 17th century.
Source
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