He paid the fine 'under protest'. [=he paid the fine although he objected to it]
The students launched/held/staged a 'protest' against the tuition increase.
She told him to go to bed despite his 'protests' that he wasn't tired.
(..) AA, I need your official answer. - It's not what he said. - Then what is it? - I want a different question. - You can't. - Formal protest. - Denied. Informal protest. Denied. - I need your official answer. - No. I decline to provide one. (..)2008 TvShow: The Big Bang Theory Title: The Bat Jar Conjecture Season: 1 Episode 13
(..) "What is the iso-spin singlet partner "of the pi-zero meson?" PMS? - The eta meson. - Correct. - Formal protest. - On what grounds? The Velcro on my wrist brace caught on my shirt. Denied. All right, for ten points, (..)2008 TvShow: The Big Bang Theory Title: The Bat Jar Conjecture Season: 1 Episode 13