hue and cry
4
7.7
- noun
- /hjuː ənd kraɪ/
- Informal
:
clamor
- The Nirbhaya aftermath witnessed wide and loud hue and cry from many quarters that the protection of juveniles from the regular criminal justice system must be done away with, along with lowering the age of juvenility.
It's a very Pakistani phrase that there was a great hue and cry, right?
- It's a very Pakistani phrase that there was a great hue and cry, right?
Examples
-
Before everyone raises a hue and cry, let me explain.
Blog text (15) -
But why all this hue and cry about a technology that might be hugely important?
Blog text (32) -
There will be a hue and cry that this will put more people out of work.
Blog text (9) -
The hue and cry over this pronouncement was immediate and extensive.
Academic text (1992) -
The hue and cry of many folks in and out of education is that schools must teach students to think critically and creatively.
Academic text (1991) -
The domestic measures received bipartisan support on the Senate and House floors, but a public hue and cry arose from all quarters.
Academic text (1998) -
The hue and cry over poor test scores so often revolves around getting rid of the poorest-performing teachers.
Blog text (20) -
In 1766, the recently passed Stamp Act, which levied a direct tax upon colonial newspapers and legal documents, sparked a great hue and cry.
Academic text (2010) -
There was a loud hue and cry from the public demanding justice after the incident.
-
The proposal triggered a hue and cry among community members, calling for immediate action.
Synonyms
85
3.8
A loud public complaint or protest about something
52
4.6
A strong public protest showing anger or disapproval
15
6.0
A loud noise by people demanding change
7
7.9
A loud noisy fuss made by people, often during protests or celebrations
1
6.0
A loud, persistent demand by many people, often in protest
1
8.5
A very loud, angry shout of complaint or protest
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a loud and persistent outcry' cannot be derived from the modern senses of the parts: 'hue' is archaic in the sense 'shout' and is unfamiliar to learners (often known only as 'color'), while 'cry' alone does not imply a collective prolonged protest. This is a historical, idiomatic collocation whose overall meaning must be learned as a unit rather than composed from its constituents.
Etymology
Hue and cry comes from an old town practice where people would raise a loud hue, a shout, and a loud cry to warn neighbors and chase a thief. So, the phrase now means a strong public shout or a 'loud complaint' calling for action.