hue and cry
C2Formal, Literary, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A loud clamour of public alarm or indignation, especially in protest against something.
An intense public outcry or protest, often based on strong emotional reaction or moral outrage, rather than a reasoned response. Historically, it referred to the legal duty of citizens to pursue and make a loud noise upon discovering a felony.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a fixed, idiomatic phrase, functioning as a compound noun. The meaning is not derived from the simple sum of its parts ('hue' meaning 'colour' or 'shout' and 'cry'). It implies a collective, often noisy and agitated reaction from a group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the phrase with identical meaning and register. No significant differences in usage.
Connotations
Slightly archaic or formal tone in both; often used in legal, historical, or high-register journalistic contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech for both, but perhaps slightly more common in UK media due to historical legal context.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] a hue and cry (over/about sth)There was a hue and cry [preposition] [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “raise Cain”
- “make a (big) stink”
- “kick up a fuss”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CEO's sudden resignation raised a hue and cry among investors, causing the stock to plummet.
Academic
The historian described the hue and cry that followed the king's proclamation, citing contemporary pamphlets.
Everyday
There was a real hue and cry from the neighbours when they announced plans to cut down the old tree.
Technical
In medieval English law, the 'hue and cry' was a formal process for pursuing felons, requiring all able-bodied men to assist.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The opposition MPs sought to hue and cry over the minister's expenses, but the speaker called for order.
American English
- The activists tried to hue and cry about the environmental impact, but the city council had already voted.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The new parking fees caused a hue and cry in our small town.
- Despite the initial hue and cry from traditionalists, the policy reform was gradually accepted.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a crowd chasing a thief, all SHOUTING (cry) and their faces turning RED (a hue of anger). A 'hue and cry' is a noisy, colourful public chase or protest.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUBLIC DISAPPROVAL IS NOISE / SOCIAL ORDER IS PURSUIT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'цвет и крик'. The phrase is an idiom.
- Do not confuse with simple 'protest' (протест) or 'scandal' (скандал); it specifically implies a loud, public, and often indignant reaction.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hue' separately (e.g., 'a hue of cry').
- Misspelling as 'hew and cry'.
- Using it for a quiet, private complaint.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hue and cry' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, as it denotes loud protest or alarm. However, it can be used neutrally to describe any loud public clamour, even if justified.
Yes, though it has a formal/literary tone. It is common in journalism and commentary to describe a strong public reaction.
It comes from Anglo-Norman legal procedure 'hu e cri', meaning 'outcry and cry', whereby citizens were obliged to shout and pursue a criminal.
No. The 'hue' here derives from the Old French 'huer', meaning 'to shout'. It is etymologically unrelated to the 'hue' meaning colour.