to tut-tut

Examples

• All

• Did you tut-tut when you heard a news story about a young woman being assaulted while passed out in a cab, thinking, 'Well, she's got to be safer'?

  Blog text (4)

• He then goes on to tut-tut in agreement with Mr.

  Blog text (26)

• There were those who tut-tutted at Sir John's friendship with such a man.

  Fiction book (2001)

• R-money is tut-tutting everyone for not accepting his statements on faith.

  Blog text (20)

• Bill tut-tutted at her and told her what a shame it was that an intelligent black girl like her should know so little about her own black people.

  Fiction book (1990)

• All the big national newspapers had major fact-checking initiatives, and the moment speeches or debates ended on the cable networks, a fleet of scolds would descend and tut-tut about this fib or that.

  Blog text (20)

• She tut-tut when she saw the messy living room, showing her disapproval.

• As he listened to the news, he couldn't help but tut-tut at the poor decisions being made.

• They tut-tutted at the late arrival, expressing their annoyance with a quick click of their tongues.

Synonyms

G

to grunt

vsto tut-tut

355 4.2

To make a short low sound to show effort, pain, or dislike

is a higher tongue click rather than a deep guttural noise

M

to moan

vsto tut-tut

177 1.0

To make a low, long sound to show pain, discomfort, or displeasure

is a quick disapproving tongue click, not an extended vocal cry

T

to tut

vsto tut-tut

3 9.6

Make a short, quiet sound with the tongue to show disapproval

is the doubled form used to intensify quick disapproval

T

to tsk

vsto tut-tut

• Informal

2 9.9

To make a short click with the tongue to show disapproval

is repeated as a short series to show annoyance

H

to harrumph

vsto tut-tut

• Archaic

1 9.8

To clear your throat with a short gruff sound to show annoyance or disapproval

is a quick tongue click, not a prolonged throat clearing sound

G

to groan at

vsto tut-tut

1 4.1

Make a low sound or complain to show you are annoyed at something

is a brief tongue click rather than a longer complaint sound

H

to humph

vsto tut-tut

• Informal

1 8.9

To make a short low sound to show disapproval or doubt

is a higher, sharper tongue click not a voiced grunt

P

to pfft

vsto tut-tut

• Informal

1 9.9

To make a short sound by blowing air through the lips to show disbelief

is a tongue click expressing disapproval, not a lip blow

H

to hmph

vsto tut-tut

• Informal

9.9

To make a short sound to show annoyance or doubt

is a quick tongue click rather than a low voiced sound

H

to humpf

vsto tut-tut

• Informal

9.9

To make a short sound to show annoyance or doubt

is a quick tongue click rather than a vocal puff

Antonyms

C

cheer

205 1.0

A loud shout people make to show approval or support

How Disapproving

to reprimand

• Formal

33 6.1

to scold

55 2.2

to tut-tut

1 9.1

to frown

160 1.0

to raise an eyebrow

9 4.5

Surface Forms

Etymology