raise Cain

From Cain, the biblical son of Adam and Eve, the first murderer. The expression implies bringing or returning that evil to Earth.

raise Cain

1. (idiomatic) To cause trouble or commotion; to behave in a disruptive manner.

   If those boys have been out drinking and raising Cain again tonight.

   • 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island:

     "I seen old Flint in the corner there, behind you; as plain as print, I seen him; and if I get the horrors, I'm a man that has lived rough, and I'll raise Cain."

• (cause trouble): raise the Devil, raise hob, raise hell, raise the roof

• Césairian