house un-american activities committee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Historical, Political, Academic
Quick answer
What does “house un-american activities committee” mean?
The official name of the congressional committee (1938–1975) that investigated suspected subversion and disloyalty, especially communist influence, within U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official name of the congressional committee (1938–1975) that investigated suspected subversion and disloyalty, especially communist influence, within U.S. institutions.
A historical term representing a period of intense political repression, fear, and ideological investigation in the United States, particularly during the McCarthy era. It is often used as a reference point in discussions about civil liberties, political persecution, and government overreach.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is an exclusively American historical term. A British speaker would understand it only as a reference to U.S. history.
Connotations
In the US, it carries strong negative connotations of political repression. In the UK, it is understood as a specific reference to a controversial period in American politics.
Frequency
Used with near-zero frequency in contemporary British English. Used in American English only in historical, political, or legal discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “house un-american activities committee” in a Sentence
be investigated by + [the House Un-American Activities Committee]be called before + [the House Un-American Activities Committee]testify to + [the House Un-American Activities Committee]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “house un-american activities committee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A – not used attributively.
American English
- The HUAC era was marked by fear. (used as a compound modifier)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear in historical analyses of corporate loyalty oaths or blacklisting.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and American studies papers discussing Cold War politics, civil liberties, and McCarthyism.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation except as a historical or political analogy.
Technical
Used precisely in historical and legal texts to refer to the specific committee and its procedures.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “house un-american activities committee”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “house un-american activities committee”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “house un-american activities committee”
- Incorrect article: 'a House Un-American...' (it's always 'the House Un-American...').
- Spelling: 'Unamerican' as one word (standard is hyphenated: 'Un-American').
- Using it as a common noun, e.g., 'They formed a house un-american activities committee' (it is a proper name).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It was a political term used to describe activities deemed disloyal or subversive to U.S. interests and values, particularly associated with communism or fascism.
It was established in 1938 and was most prominent in the late 1940s and 1950s. It was renamed in 1969 and finally abolished in 1975.
It is criticized for its aggressive tactics, which included demanding names of associates, damaging reputations without due process, and creating an atmosphere of fear and conformity, often with little evidence of actual illegal activity.
Yes, but almost always as a historical reference or a rhetorical comparison. Politicians or commentators might accuse a contemporary investigation of being 'like HUAC' to criticize it as an unfair witch-hunt.
The official name of the congressional committee (1938–1975) that investigated suspected subversion and disloyalty, especially communist influence, within U.
House un-american activities committee is usually historical, political, academic in register.
House un-american activities committee: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs ˌʌn.əˈmer.ɪ.kən ækˈtɪv.ə.tiz kəˈmɪt.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs ˌʌn.əˈmɛr.ə.kən ækˈtɪv.ə.t̬iz kəˈmɪt̬.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a modern-day HUAC”
- “the ghosts of HUAC”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HUAC sounds like 'hawk' – a bird that hunts. The committee was seen as hunting for 'un-American' people.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NATION IS A BODY (to be purified of disease/subversion); INVESTIGATION IS A HUNT (witch-hunt).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common critical metaphor used to describe the House Un-American Activities Committee's methods?