picking quarrels and provoking trouble

noun

A crime and administrative offence known for being vague, mainly concerning breaching the peace by creating a disturbance in a public place.

OriginChinese 尋釁滋事 /寻衅滋事 →
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Meanings

nounpicking quarrels and provoking trouble (uncountable)

alternative picking quarrels and stirring up trouble · alternative picking quarrels and making trouble

  1. Mainland ChinauncountablelawA crime and administrative offence known for being vague, mainly concerning breaching the peace by creating a disturbance in a public place.

Origin

  1. Chinese尋釁滋事 /寻衅滋事
  2. Englishpicking quarrels and provoking trouble

Calque of Chinese 尋釁滋事 /寻衅滋事 (xúnxìn zīshì).

More words from Chinese

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Cantonese 尋釁滋事 /寻衅滋事
  • 尋釁滋事 /寻衅滋事 (cam⁴ jan⁶ zi¹ si⁶)criminal offence
Chinese Mandarin 尋釁滋事 /寻衅滋事
  • 尋釁滋事 /寻衅滋事 (xúnxìn zīshì)criminal offence
Cite this entry
APA

picking quarrels and provoking trouble. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/picking%20quarrels%20and%20provoking%20trouble

MLA

“picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/picking%20quarrels%20and%20provoking%20trouble. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/picking%20quarrels%20and%20provoking%20trouble.

Source: picking quarrels and provoking trouble on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.