Put/set the cat among the pigeons British idiom verb phrase
The verb "put/set" can be replaced by the word "throw."
To cause arguments or trouble by saying or doing something.
Johnny set the cat among the pigeons by telling lies about his parents.
You need to think about it carefully. Once it got out, it would definitely put the cat among the pigeons.
To punish someone or something harshly
Once something has been done, you can do nothing but face the consequences.
White lie
Act in a way that is likely to cause problems for you
The verb "put/set" should be conjugated according to its tense.
This expression originated from the practice that putting a cat inside a dovecote will cause disturbance due to the cat's tendency to hunt and kill the birds.