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Glite Dictionary
pearl-clutching

pearl-clutching

1 9.9
An exaggerated show of shock or moral anger about something seen as wrong
  • noun
  • /ˈpɜrlˌklʌtʃɪŋ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : mojigatería
  • During the meeting, there was a lot of pearl-clutching over the proposed budget cuts.

But if it's Hunter Biden, it's Pearl clutching big time.

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Examples

  • But I say, if the pearl-clutching moral majority types are gonna protest your work, you might as well make it bloody mean something.

    MaXXXine (2024)

  • But I continue to be amazed by the pearl clutching.

    Blog text (22)

  • Personally, I find all the pearl clutching over the "death" of the Fourth Amendment hilarious.

    Blog text (13)

  • Wow, lots of pearl clutching and almost swooning going on.

    Blog text (29)

  • As to innovation, are you referring to the same science that elicits such widespread pearl-clutching when it's described in the context of GMOs?

    Blog text (28)

  • This is turning into a comedic thread of epic proportions with all the pearl clutching.

    Blog text (13)

  • I just have a feeling that they'll rise to fame on a hype wave, buoyed by pearl-clutching Middle America.

    Blog text (29)

  • I suspected as much, based on the contrived pearl-clutching phraseology, even before Jane said so, but I've never felt all that sure of it.

    Blog text (28)

  • The pearl-clutching critics were shocked by the artist's provocative performance.

  • Her pearl-clutching reaction to the new policy changes showed how out of touch she was.

Synonyms

scandalization
vspearl-clutching
8.2

The feeling of being shocked or offended by wrong actions

is an exaggerated public display of shock and moral disapproval

Antonyms

acceptance
101 2.9

Willingness to be friendly to people and ideas that are different

indifference
71 4.6

Lack of interest or concern about something

How Shocked

pearl-clutching
  • Offensive
1 9.9
shock
567 2.3
surprise
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

pearl-clutching singular
pearl-clutchings plural

Morphology

pearl-clutching = pearl + clutch (semi-transparent) = pearl + clutch + ing

The phrase is literally 'clutching pearls', so the components are obvious, but the idiomatic meaning 'affected shock or moral outrage' relies on cultural/pragmatic knowledge.

Etymology

The word pearl-clutching comes from the image of someone quickly grabbing a string of pearls and clutching them when shocked, a gesture linked to 'respectable' people who showed horror. So pearl-clutching now means an over-the-top show of shock or moral disapproval, often more about looking offended than about a real problem.