轩然大波 (xuān rán dà bō) — a great uproar, a huge controversy

Definition

A chengyu for a great uproar or controversy, used when one event triggers intense public reaction. The image is of a single stone raising towering waves.

idiom

a great uproara huge controversy

Examples

轩然大波。
Zhè jiàn shì zài gōng sī lǐ yǐn qǐ le xuān rán dà bō.
This matter caused a huge uproar in the company.
轩然大波。
Tā de yán lùn zài shè huì shàng xiān qǐ le xuān rán dà bō.
His remarks stirred up a great controversy in society.
轩然大波。
Nà piān bào dào yǐn fā le méi tǐ jiè de xuān rán dà bō.
That report triggered a mighty uproar in the media world.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.