disturb the peace
/dɪˈstɜːrb ðə piːs/
Meaning
This expression refers to making loud noises, fighting, or causing a public disruption that interrupts the quiet and order of a neighborhood or community. While it is a formal legal charge in many English-speaking countries, people also use it in daily life to describe anyone making too much noise. The tone ranges from legally serious to slightly dramatic or humorous.
Examples
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The neighbors called the police on the teenagers for disturbing the peace with their loud party.
The neighbors called the police on the teenagers for disturbing the peace with their loud party.
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He was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace after starting a fight in the park.
He was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace after starting a fight in the park.
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Please turn down the music; we don't want to disturb the peace of the neighborhood.
Please turn down the music; we don't want to disturb the peace of the neighborhood.
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The protestors were careful not to disturb the peace, keeping their demonstration completely silent.
The protestors were careful not to disturb the peace, keeping their demonstration completely silent.
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My dog loves to bark at night, constantly disturbing the peace of our quiet street.
My dog loves to bark at night, constantly disturbing the peace of our quiet street.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The loud music was bothering the peace.
✓ The loud music was disturbing the peace.
'Disturb the peace' is a fixed legal and idiomatic collocation. 'Bothering' is not used in this phrase.
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✗ They were arrested for disturbing the quiet.
✓ They were arrested for disturbing the peace.
Even though they are ruining the quiet, the fixed legal and common phrase is 'disturb the peace.'
Related Expressions
Practice
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Playing drums at 3 AM is a sure way to ___.
💡 make a loud public disruption
Show answer
disturb the peace
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The unruly customer was escorted out of the restaurant for trying to ___.
💡 disrupt the quiet and order
Show answer
disturb the peace