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Hi I think these idioms have similar meaning but is there any difference between them in terms of meaning, usage and strenght.

Thanks

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A stink is always negative. If you make a fuss in order to express your displeasure, you have made a stink. The insurance company made a stink over the number of speeding tickets I had, and almost cancelled my policy. I could say they "made a fuss" over the tickets too, but "a stink" conveys the unpleasantness of the matter.

On the other hand, I could make a big fuss over my wife's birthday by putting up decorations and inviting lots of her best friend's over for a party. I ought to do that. She would like it.

If I fail to make a fuss over her birthday, she might make a stink over how I ignored it.

If I said, without context, that "she made a fuss over the puppy I bought as a surprise, you don't know whether she was pleased or not.

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  • making a fuss can also be used if you overdo something unnecessarily, that would otherwise be simple to do.
    – user3169
    Commented Jan 6, 2015 at 23:20
  • @Adam Thank you .What you wrote is very informative.
    – Mrt
    Commented Jan 6, 2015 at 23:20

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