What do you call someone who likes to pick fights?












9















What do you call someone who likes picking fights? The only expression I've heard so far is "shit stirrer" (sorry for the curse word).



Is there anything out there that's less slang-like? Something I can say to anyone without using the word "shit"?










share|improve this question


















  • 7





    Do you want a term that refers primarily to picking physical fights, or do you want a more general term for causing inter-personal conflict?

    – Jasper
    yesterday






  • 1





    Related: Is there a word for someone who is very good at starting wars among friends?

    – ColleenV
    16 hours ago











  • Sometimes, a bully.

    – Marc.2377
    56 mins ago
















9















What do you call someone who likes picking fights? The only expression I've heard so far is "shit stirrer" (sorry for the curse word).



Is there anything out there that's less slang-like? Something I can say to anyone without using the word "shit"?










share|improve this question


















  • 7





    Do you want a term that refers primarily to picking physical fights, or do you want a more general term for causing inter-personal conflict?

    – Jasper
    yesterday






  • 1





    Related: Is there a word for someone who is very good at starting wars among friends?

    – ColleenV
    16 hours ago











  • Sometimes, a bully.

    – Marc.2377
    56 mins ago














9












9








9


1






What do you call someone who likes picking fights? The only expression I've heard so far is "shit stirrer" (sorry for the curse word).



Is there anything out there that's less slang-like? Something I can say to anyone without using the word "shit"?










share|improve this question














What do you call someone who likes picking fights? The only expression I've heard so far is "shit stirrer" (sorry for the curse word).



Is there anything out there that's less slang-like? Something I can say to anyone without using the word "shit"?







idiom-request






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked yesterday









KyleKyle

5609




5609








  • 7





    Do you want a term that refers primarily to picking physical fights, or do you want a more general term for causing inter-personal conflict?

    – Jasper
    yesterday






  • 1





    Related: Is there a word for someone who is very good at starting wars among friends?

    – ColleenV
    16 hours ago











  • Sometimes, a bully.

    – Marc.2377
    56 mins ago














  • 7





    Do you want a term that refers primarily to picking physical fights, or do you want a more general term for causing inter-personal conflict?

    – Jasper
    yesterday






  • 1





    Related: Is there a word for someone who is very good at starting wars among friends?

    – ColleenV
    16 hours ago











  • Sometimes, a bully.

    – Marc.2377
    56 mins ago








7




7





Do you want a term that refers primarily to picking physical fights, or do you want a more general term for causing inter-personal conflict?

– Jasper
yesterday





Do you want a term that refers primarily to picking physical fights, or do you want a more general term for causing inter-personal conflict?

– Jasper
yesterday




1




1





Related: Is there a word for someone who is very good at starting wars among friends?

– ColleenV
16 hours ago





Related: Is there a word for someone who is very good at starting wars among friends?

– ColleenV
16 hours ago













Sometimes, a bully.

– Marc.2377
56 mins ago





Sometimes, a bully.

– Marc.2377
56 mins ago










11 Answers
11






active

oldest

votes


















18














The first word that jumped to my mind is the adjective belligerent.



Some published definitions include:




  • inclined or eager to fight; hostile or aggressive.


  • Aggressively hostile, eager to fight; acting violently towards others.


  • hostile and aggressive: a bull-necked, belligerent old man.







share|improve this answer
























  • I see belligerent mostly used in context of intoxicated individuals (at least in the U.S.). While the actual definition may not necessarily involve alcohol, that's the first thing I think about when seeing this adjective.

    – Chris Cirefice
    17 hours ago



















11














Such a person is a hothead or a bruiser, or has a chip on his/her shoulder.



According to Vocabulary.com,




A hothead is someone who's suddenly and easily angered or agitated.
It's usually a hothead who starts a riot or turns a peaceful protest
violent.




Source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/hothead



According to CollinsDictionary.com,




A bruiser is someone who is tough, strong, and aggressive, and enjoys
a fight or argument.




Source: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bruiser






share|improve this answer

































    10














    Pugnacious fits:




    Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
    Oxford Dictionaries




    You can also check its synonyms. Merriam Webster has a good comparison of them.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 1





      It might get you some funny looks, though. I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word.

      – Arcanist Lupus
      20 hours ago











    • I used this word in casual conversation just a few days ago. It did not get any funny looks.

      – barbecue
      8 hours ago



















    4














    Consider the words below:





    • Scrapper (informal) - a fighter or aggressive competitor, especially one always ready or eager for a fight, argument, or
      contest (source).


    • Fighter - a person who physically fights another person (note that the word is often used to talk about professional boxers and just strong people who don't give up easily, but in the right context the word may be what you are looking for).


    By the way, a shit stirrer is a person who takes pleasure in causing trouble or discord. It's not specifically someone who loves picking fights. They may like that too, though.






    share|improve this answer

































      4














      The adjective quarrelsome is a good word to describe someone who likes to argue with other people. Many times, they do that just for the heck of it. A quarrel is a fight, but not one that's physical. The following is the definition of quarrelsome as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary:




      A quarrelsome person repeatedly argues with other people.







      share|improve this answer































        2














        Another possible answer, though more general, is "instigator."



        Definition: "a person who brings about or initiates something." (Google)



        You will still have to use the word "fight" (or a synonym of it):




        He really likes instigating fights.




        I still think belligerent is a better answer, but using "instigator" specifically focuses on the fact that the person in question likes to initiate the fights, as opposed to someone who has a high temper and reacts to instigations violently.






        share|improve this answer































          1














          belligerent, contentious, aggressive, truculent, combative, pugnacious, etc. depending on the exact context. I agree with Laurel that M-W has good guides for choosing the right word - you can see one such guide here under “choose the right synonym”.






          share|improve this answer

































            1














            Instead of saying




            • He's a shit-stirrer.


            You can say




            • He's a fire-eater. (synonym of belligerent in this case)


            From the American Heritage Dictionary:




            fire-eater:




            1. A belligerent person or a militant partisan.




            Other synonyms: bellicose, pugnacious, combative, belligerent.




            These adjectives mean having or showing an eagerness to fight.




            More referring to willingness/tending to get into an argument: antagonistic, contentious, quarrelsome, argumentative...



            Regarding idioms, you can simply say




            • He's always looking to pick a fight / quarrel. (in itself an idiom, for both arguments and physical fights)

            • He's always asking for a fight / trouble.

            • He's always crusing for a bruising. (slang)

            • He's always spoiling for a fight.

            • He's always arguing for the sake of arguing / the argument.


            Slightly more specific, but appliable to general cases:




            • He's always arguing the toss. (chiefly British, arguing over something already decided)

            • He has a chip on his shoulder. (showing resentfulness)

            • He always ends up cutting up rough. (chiefly British, suddenly becomes angry and violent)






            share|improve this answer

































              1














              If you're talking about a non-physical fight, "rabble-rouser" is a clean alternative to "shit-stirrer".






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              starsparrow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.










              We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.






















                1














                You may want to use the word troublemaker.




                A person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble (merriam-webster).




                It's flexible enough to be used for physical or verbal situations. The word is also free from profanities and is often used in professional settings.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Shafiq al-Shaar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.




























                  0














                  One Who Always Stirs Up Strife!






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  user91059 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.










                  We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.














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                    11 Answers
                    11






                    active

                    oldest

                    votes








                    11 Answers
                    11






                    active

                    oldest

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                    active

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                    active

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                    18














                    The first word that jumped to my mind is the adjective belligerent.



                    Some published definitions include:




                    • inclined or eager to fight; hostile or aggressive.


                    • Aggressively hostile, eager to fight; acting violently towards others.


                    • hostile and aggressive: a bull-necked, belligerent old man.







                    share|improve this answer
























                    • I see belligerent mostly used in context of intoxicated individuals (at least in the U.S.). While the actual definition may not necessarily involve alcohol, that's the first thing I think about when seeing this adjective.

                      – Chris Cirefice
                      17 hours ago
















                    18














                    The first word that jumped to my mind is the adjective belligerent.



                    Some published definitions include:




                    • inclined or eager to fight; hostile or aggressive.


                    • Aggressively hostile, eager to fight; acting violently towards others.


                    • hostile and aggressive: a bull-necked, belligerent old man.







                    share|improve this answer
























                    • I see belligerent mostly used in context of intoxicated individuals (at least in the U.S.). While the actual definition may not necessarily involve alcohol, that's the first thing I think about when seeing this adjective.

                      – Chris Cirefice
                      17 hours ago














                    18












                    18








                    18







                    The first word that jumped to my mind is the adjective belligerent.



                    Some published definitions include:




                    • inclined or eager to fight; hostile or aggressive.


                    • Aggressively hostile, eager to fight; acting violently towards others.


                    • hostile and aggressive: a bull-necked, belligerent old man.







                    share|improve this answer













                    The first word that jumped to my mind is the adjective belligerent.



                    Some published definitions include:




                    • inclined or eager to fight; hostile or aggressive.


                    • Aggressively hostile, eager to fight; acting violently towards others.


                    • hostile and aggressive: a bull-necked, belligerent old man.








                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered yesterday









                    J.R.J.R.

                    99.3k8127246




                    99.3k8127246













                    • I see belligerent mostly used in context of intoxicated individuals (at least in the U.S.). While the actual definition may not necessarily involve alcohol, that's the first thing I think about when seeing this adjective.

                      – Chris Cirefice
                      17 hours ago



















                    • I see belligerent mostly used in context of intoxicated individuals (at least in the U.S.). While the actual definition may not necessarily involve alcohol, that's the first thing I think about when seeing this adjective.

                      – Chris Cirefice
                      17 hours ago

















                    I see belligerent mostly used in context of intoxicated individuals (at least in the U.S.). While the actual definition may not necessarily involve alcohol, that's the first thing I think about when seeing this adjective.

                    – Chris Cirefice
                    17 hours ago





                    I see belligerent mostly used in context of intoxicated individuals (at least in the U.S.). While the actual definition may not necessarily involve alcohol, that's the first thing I think about when seeing this adjective.

                    – Chris Cirefice
                    17 hours ago













                    11














                    Such a person is a hothead or a bruiser, or has a chip on his/her shoulder.



                    According to Vocabulary.com,




                    A hothead is someone who's suddenly and easily angered or agitated.
                    It's usually a hothead who starts a riot or turns a peaceful protest
                    violent.




                    Source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/hothead



                    According to CollinsDictionary.com,




                    A bruiser is someone who is tough, strong, and aggressive, and enjoys
                    a fight or argument.




                    Source: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bruiser






                    share|improve this answer






























                      11














                      Such a person is a hothead or a bruiser, or has a chip on his/her shoulder.



                      According to Vocabulary.com,




                      A hothead is someone who's suddenly and easily angered or agitated.
                      It's usually a hothead who starts a riot or turns a peaceful protest
                      violent.




                      Source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/hothead



                      According to CollinsDictionary.com,




                      A bruiser is someone who is tough, strong, and aggressive, and enjoys
                      a fight or argument.




                      Source: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bruiser






                      share|improve this answer




























                        11












                        11








                        11







                        Such a person is a hothead or a bruiser, or has a chip on his/her shoulder.



                        According to Vocabulary.com,




                        A hothead is someone who's suddenly and easily angered or agitated.
                        It's usually a hothead who starts a riot or turns a peaceful protest
                        violent.




                        Source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/hothead



                        According to CollinsDictionary.com,




                        A bruiser is someone who is tough, strong, and aggressive, and enjoys
                        a fight or argument.




                        Source: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bruiser






                        share|improve this answer















                        Such a person is a hothead or a bruiser, or has a chip on his/her shoulder.



                        According to Vocabulary.com,




                        A hothead is someone who's suddenly and easily angered or agitated.
                        It's usually a hothead who starts a riot or turns a peaceful protest
                        violent.




                        Source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/hothead



                        According to CollinsDictionary.com,




                        A bruiser is someone who is tough, strong, and aggressive, and enjoys
                        a fight or argument.




                        Source: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bruiser







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited 18 hours ago

























                        answered 22 hours ago









                        nanomannanoman

                        39115




                        39115























                            10














                            Pugnacious fits:




                            Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
                            Oxford Dictionaries




                            You can also check its synonyms. Merriam Webster has a good comparison of them.






                            share|improve this answer



















                            • 1





                              It might get you some funny looks, though. I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word.

                              – Arcanist Lupus
                              20 hours ago











                            • I used this word in casual conversation just a few days ago. It did not get any funny looks.

                              – barbecue
                              8 hours ago
















                            10














                            Pugnacious fits:




                            Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
                            Oxford Dictionaries




                            You can also check its synonyms. Merriam Webster has a good comparison of them.






                            share|improve this answer



















                            • 1





                              It might get you some funny looks, though. I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word.

                              – Arcanist Lupus
                              20 hours ago











                            • I used this word in casual conversation just a few days ago. It did not get any funny looks.

                              – barbecue
                              8 hours ago














                            10












                            10








                            10







                            Pugnacious fits:




                            Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
                            Oxford Dictionaries




                            You can also check its synonyms. Merriam Webster has a good comparison of them.






                            share|improve this answer













                            Pugnacious fits:




                            Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
                            Oxford Dictionaries




                            You can also check its synonyms. Merriam Webster has a good comparison of them.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered yesterday









                            LaurelLaurel

                            5,32211229




                            5,32211229








                            • 1





                              It might get you some funny looks, though. I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word.

                              – Arcanist Lupus
                              20 hours ago











                            • I used this word in casual conversation just a few days ago. It did not get any funny looks.

                              – barbecue
                              8 hours ago














                            • 1





                              It might get you some funny looks, though. I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word.

                              – Arcanist Lupus
                              20 hours ago











                            • I used this word in casual conversation just a few days ago. It did not get any funny looks.

                              – barbecue
                              8 hours ago








                            1




                            1





                            It might get you some funny looks, though. I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word.

                            – Arcanist Lupus
                            20 hours ago





                            It might get you some funny looks, though. I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word.

                            – Arcanist Lupus
                            20 hours ago













                            I used this word in casual conversation just a few days ago. It did not get any funny looks.

                            – barbecue
                            8 hours ago





                            I used this word in casual conversation just a few days ago. It did not get any funny looks.

                            – barbecue
                            8 hours ago











                            4














                            Consider the words below:





                            • Scrapper (informal) - a fighter or aggressive competitor, especially one always ready or eager for a fight, argument, or
                              contest (source).


                            • Fighter - a person who physically fights another person (note that the word is often used to talk about professional boxers and just strong people who don't give up easily, but in the right context the word may be what you are looking for).


                            By the way, a shit stirrer is a person who takes pleasure in causing trouble or discord. It's not specifically someone who loves picking fights. They may like that too, though.






                            share|improve this answer






























                              4














                              Consider the words below:





                              • Scrapper (informal) - a fighter or aggressive competitor, especially one always ready or eager for a fight, argument, or
                                contest (source).


                              • Fighter - a person who physically fights another person (note that the word is often used to talk about professional boxers and just strong people who don't give up easily, but in the right context the word may be what you are looking for).


                              By the way, a shit stirrer is a person who takes pleasure in causing trouble or discord. It's not specifically someone who loves picking fights. They may like that too, though.






                              share|improve this answer




























                                4












                                4








                                4







                                Consider the words below:





                                • Scrapper (informal) - a fighter or aggressive competitor, especially one always ready or eager for a fight, argument, or
                                  contest (source).


                                • Fighter - a person who physically fights another person (note that the word is often used to talk about professional boxers and just strong people who don't give up easily, but in the right context the word may be what you are looking for).


                                By the way, a shit stirrer is a person who takes pleasure in causing trouble or discord. It's not specifically someone who loves picking fights. They may like that too, though.






                                share|improve this answer















                                Consider the words below:





                                • Scrapper (informal) - a fighter or aggressive competitor, especially one always ready or eager for a fight, argument, or
                                  contest (source).


                                • Fighter - a person who physically fights another person (note that the word is often used to talk about professional boxers and just strong people who don't give up easily, but in the right context the word may be what you are looking for).


                                By the way, a shit stirrer is a person who takes pleasure in causing trouble or discord. It's not specifically someone who loves picking fights. They may like that too, though.







                                share|improve this answer














                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer








                                edited yesterday

























                                answered yesterday









                                EngurooEnguroo

                                3,4331626




                                3,4331626























                                    4














                                    The adjective quarrelsome is a good word to describe someone who likes to argue with other people. Many times, they do that just for the heck of it. A quarrel is a fight, but not one that's physical. The following is the definition of quarrelsome as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary:




                                    A quarrelsome person repeatedly argues with other people.







                                    share|improve this answer




























                                      4














                                      The adjective quarrelsome is a good word to describe someone who likes to argue with other people. Many times, they do that just for the heck of it. A quarrel is a fight, but not one that's physical. The following is the definition of quarrelsome as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary:




                                      A quarrelsome person repeatedly argues with other people.







                                      share|improve this answer


























                                        4












                                        4








                                        4







                                        The adjective quarrelsome is a good word to describe someone who likes to argue with other people. Many times, they do that just for the heck of it. A quarrel is a fight, but not one that's physical. The following is the definition of quarrelsome as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary:




                                        A quarrelsome person repeatedly argues with other people.







                                        share|improve this answer













                                        The adjective quarrelsome is a good word to describe someone who likes to argue with other people. Many times, they do that just for the heck of it. A quarrel is a fight, but not one that's physical. The following is the definition of quarrelsome as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary:




                                        A quarrelsome person repeatedly argues with other people.








                                        share|improve this answer












                                        share|improve this answer



                                        share|improve this answer










                                        answered 19 hours ago









                                        Michael RybkinMichael Rybkin

                                        27.3k11110236




                                        27.3k11110236























                                            2














                                            Another possible answer, though more general, is "instigator."



                                            Definition: "a person who brings about or initiates something." (Google)



                                            You will still have to use the word "fight" (or a synonym of it):




                                            He really likes instigating fights.




                                            I still think belligerent is a better answer, but using "instigator" specifically focuses on the fact that the person in question likes to initiate the fights, as opposed to someone who has a high temper and reacts to instigations violently.






                                            share|improve this answer




























                                              2














                                              Another possible answer, though more general, is "instigator."



                                              Definition: "a person who brings about or initiates something." (Google)



                                              You will still have to use the word "fight" (or a synonym of it):




                                              He really likes instigating fights.




                                              I still think belligerent is a better answer, but using "instigator" specifically focuses on the fact that the person in question likes to initiate the fights, as opposed to someone who has a high temper and reacts to instigations violently.






                                              share|improve this answer


























                                                2












                                                2








                                                2







                                                Another possible answer, though more general, is "instigator."



                                                Definition: "a person who brings about or initiates something." (Google)



                                                You will still have to use the word "fight" (or a synonym of it):




                                                He really likes instigating fights.




                                                I still think belligerent is a better answer, but using "instigator" specifically focuses on the fact that the person in question likes to initiate the fights, as opposed to someone who has a high temper and reacts to instigations violently.






                                                share|improve this answer













                                                Another possible answer, though more general, is "instigator."



                                                Definition: "a person who brings about or initiates something." (Google)



                                                You will still have to use the word "fight" (or a synonym of it):




                                                He really likes instigating fights.




                                                I still think belligerent is a better answer, but using "instigator" specifically focuses on the fact that the person in question likes to initiate the fights, as opposed to someone who has a high temper and reacts to instigations violently.







                                                share|improve this answer












                                                share|improve this answer



                                                share|improve this answer










                                                answered 14 hours ago









                                                AryamanAryaman

                                                464




                                                464























                                                    1














                                                    belligerent, contentious, aggressive, truculent, combative, pugnacious, etc. depending on the exact context. I agree with Laurel that M-W has good guides for choosing the right word - you can see one such guide here under “choose the right synonym”.






                                                    share|improve this answer






























                                                      1














                                                      belligerent, contentious, aggressive, truculent, combative, pugnacious, etc. depending on the exact context. I agree with Laurel that M-W has good guides for choosing the right word - you can see one such guide here under “choose the right synonym”.






                                                      share|improve this answer




























                                                        1












                                                        1








                                                        1







                                                        belligerent, contentious, aggressive, truculent, combative, pugnacious, etc. depending on the exact context. I agree with Laurel that M-W has good guides for choosing the right word - you can see one such guide here under “choose the right synonym”.






                                                        share|improve this answer















                                                        belligerent, contentious, aggressive, truculent, combative, pugnacious, etc. depending on the exact context. I agree with Laurel that M-W has good guides for choosing the right word - you can see one such guide here under “choose the right synonym”.







                                                        share|improve this answer














                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                        edited yesterday









                                                        J.R.

                                                        99.3k8127246




                                                        99.3k8127246










                                                        answered yesterday









                                                        MixolydianMixolydian

                                                        2,302511




                                                        2,302511























                                                            1














                                                            Instead of saying




                                                            • He's a shit-stirrer.


                                                            You can say




                                                            • He's a fire-eater. (synonym of belligerent in this case)


                                                            From the American Heritage Dictionary:




                                                            fire-eater:




                                                            1. A belligerent person or a militant partisan.




                                                            Other synonyms: bellicose, pugnacious, combative, belligerent.




                                                            These adjectives mean having or showing an eagerness to fight.




                                                            More referring to willingness/tending to get into an argument: antagonistic, contentious, quarrelsome, argumentative...



                                                            Regarding idioms, you can simply say




                                                            • He's always looking to pick a fight / quarrel. (in itself an idiom, for both arguments and physical fights)

                                                            • He's always asking for a fight / trouble.

                                                            • He's always crusing for a bruising. (slang)

                                                            • He's always spoiling for a fight.

                                                            • He's always arguing for the sake of arguing / the argument.


                                                            Slightly more specific, but appliable to general cases:




                                                            • He's always arguing the toss. (chiefly British, arguing over something already decided)

                                                            • He has a chip on his shoulder. (showing resentfulness)

                                                            • He always ends up cutting up rough. (chiefly British, suddenly becomes angry and violent)






                                                            share|improve this answer






























                                                              1














                                                              Instead of saying




                                                              • He's a shit-stirrer.


                                                              You can say




                                                              • He's a fire-eater. (synonym of belligerent in this case)


                                                              From the American Heritage Dictionary:




                                                              fire-eater:




                                                              1. A belligerent person or a militant partisan.




                                                              Other synonyms: bellicose, pugnacious, combative, belligerent.




                                                              These adjectives mean having or showing an eagerness to fight.




                                                              More referring to willingness/tending to get into an argument: antagonistic, contentious, quarrelsome, argumentative...



                                                              Regarding idioms, you can simply say




                                                              • He's always looking to pick a fight / quarrel. (in itself an idiom, for both arguments and physical fights)

                                                              • He's always asking for a fight / trouble.

                                                              • He's always crusing for a bruising. (slang)

                                                              • He's always spoiling for a fight.

                                                              • He's always arguing for the sake of arguing / the argument.


                                                              Slightly more specific, but appliable to general cases:




                                                              • He's always arguing the toss. (chiefly British, arguing over something already decided)

                                                              • He has a chip on his shoulder. (showing resentfulness)

                                                              • He always ends up cutting up rough. (chiefly British, suddenly becomes angry and violent)






                                                              share|improve this answer




























                                                                1












                                                                1








                                                                1







                                                                Instead of saying




                                                                • He's a shit-stirrer.


                                                                You can say




                                                                • He's a fire-eater. (synonym of belligerent in this case)


                                                                From the American Heritage Dictionary:




                                                                fire-eater:




                                                                1. A belligerent person or a militant partisan.




                                                                Other synonyms: bellicose, pugnacious, combative, belligerent.




                                                                These adjectives mean having or showing an eagerness to fight.




                                                                More referring to willingness/tending to get into an argument: antagonistic, contentious, quarrelsome, argumentative...



                                                                Regarding idioms, you can simply say




                                                                • He's always looking to pick a fight / quarrel. (in itself an idiom, for both arguments and physical fights)

                                                                • He's always asking for a fight / trouble.

                                                                • He's always crusing for a bruising. (slang)

                                                                • He's always spoiling for a fight.

                                                                • He's always arguing for the sake of arguing / the argument.


                                                                Slightly more specific, but appliable to general cases:




                                                                • He's always arguing the toss. (chiefly British, arguing over something already decided)

                                                                • He has a chip on his shoulder. (showing resentfulness)

                                                                • He always ends up cutting up rough. (chiefly British, suddenly becomes angry and violent)






                                                                share|improve this answer















                                                                Instead of saying




                                                                • He's a shit-stirrer.


                                                                You can say




                                                                • He's a fire-eater. (synonym of belligerent in this case)


                                                                From the American Heritage Dictionary:




                                                                fire-eater:




                                                                1. A belligerent person or a militant partisan.




                                                                Other synonyms: bellicose, pugnacious, combative, belligerent.




                                                                These adjectives mean having or showing an eagerness to fight.




                                                                More referring to willingness/tending to get into an argument: antagonistic, contentious, quarrelsome, argumentative...



                                                                Regarding idioms, you can simply say




                                                                • He's always looking to pick a fight / quarrel. (in itself an idiom, for both arguments and physical fights)

                                                                • He's always asking for a fight / trouble.

                                                                • He's always crusing for a bruising. (slang)

                                                                • He's always spoiling for a fight.

                                                                • He's always arguing for the sake of arguing / the argument.


                                                                Slightly more specific, but appliable to general cases:




                                                                • He's always arguing the toss. (chiefly British, arguing over something already decided)

                                                                • He has a chip on his shoulder. (showing resentfulness)

                                                                • He always ends up cutting up rough. (chiefly British, suddenly becomes angry and violent)







                                                                share|improve this answer














                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                share|improve this answer








                                                                edited 19 hours ago

























                                                                answered 19 hours ago









                                                                AlbertoAlberto

                                                                1337




                                                                1337























                                                                    1














                                                                    If you're talking about a non-physical fight, "rabble-rouser" is a clean alternative to "shit-stirrer".






                                                                    share|improve this answer








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                                                                      1














                                                                      If you're talking about a non-physical fight, "rabble-rouser" is a clean alternative to "shit-stirrer".






                                                                      share|improve this answer








                                                                      New contributor




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                                                                        1












                                                                        1








                                                                        1







                                                                        If you're talking about a non-physical fight, "rabble-rouser" is a clean alternative to "shit-stirrer".






                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                        New contributor




                                                                        starsparrow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                        Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                                        If you're talking about a non-physical fight, "rabble-rouser" is a clean alternative to "shit-stirrer".







                                                                        share|improve this answer








                                                                        New contributor




                                                                        starsparrow is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                                        share|improve this answer






                                                                        New contributor




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                                                                        answered 14 hours ago









                                                                        starsparrowstarsparrow

                                                                        213




                                                                        213




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                                                                        We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.




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                                                                            1














                                                                            You may want to use the word troublemaker.




                                                                            A person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble (merriam-webster).




                                                                            It's flexible enough to be used for physical or verbal situations. The word is also free from profanities and is often used in professional settings.






                                                                            share|improve this answer








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                                                                              1














                                                                              You may want to use the word troublemaker.




                                                                              A person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble (merriam-webster).




                                                                              It's flexible enough to be used for physical or verbal situations. The word is also free from profanities and is often used in professional settings.






                                                                              share|improve this answer








                                                                              New contributor




                                                                              Shafiq al-Shaar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                              Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                                                                1












                                                                                1








                                                                                1







                                                                                You may want to use the word troublemaker.




                                                                                A person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble (merriam-webster).




                                                                                It's flexible enough to be used for physical or verbal situations. The word is also free from profanities and is often used in professional settings.






                                                                                share|improve this answer








                                                                                New contributor




                                                                                Shafiq al-Shaar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                                                You may want to use the word troublemaker.




                                                                                A person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble (merriam-webster).




                                                                                It's flexible enough to be used for physical or verbal situations. The word is also free from profanities and is often used in professional settings.







                                                                                share|improve this answer








                                                                                New contributor




                                                                                Shafiq al-Shaar is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                                                Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                                                share|improve this answer



                                                                                share|improve this answer






                                                                                New contributor




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                                                                                answered 8 hours ago









                                                                                Shafiq al-ShaarShafiq al-Shaar

                                                                                1112




                                                                                1112




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                                                                                    0














                                                                                    One Who Always Stirs Up Strife!






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                                                                                      One Who Always Stirs Up Strife!






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                                                                                        0












                                                                                        0








                                                                                        0







                                                                                        One Who Always Stirs Up Strife!






                                                                                        share|improve this answer








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                                                                                        One Who Always Stirs Up Strife!







                                                                                        share|improve this answer








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                                                                                        answered 7 hours ago









                                                                                        user91059user91059

                                                                                        91




                                                                                        91




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