The idiom "make waves" refers to creating a disturbance or commotion. There are several other expressions that can be used in place of "make waves." For example, one could say "stir the pot" or "rock the boat" to convey a sense of challenging the status quo. Similarly, "kick up a fuss" or "cause a ruckus" convey the idea of creating a disturbance in a situation. Another synonym for "make waves" is "shake things up," which suggests a more radical change or disruption. Overall, there are a variety of ways to express the concept of creating a disturbance or challenging existing norms, each with its own subtle connotations.