cries havoc
Sounds alarm loudly
Cries havoc is a phrase from Shakespeare's *Julius Caesar*, where Mark Antony predicts that Caesar's spirit will "cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war"—havoc being a military order permitting soldiers to plunder.
Now it means to sound an alarm or warning about chaos and destruction: The editorial cries havoc over the proposed budget cuts.
Often paired with its Shakespearean companion: cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.
- dogs of warHired military fighters
- destructionAct of completely ruining
- tumultNoisy, chaotic disturbance
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- proclamationFormal public announcement
chaos · total chaos · all hell breaks loose · rage · mayhem · Julius Caesar · medieval warfare · Shakespeare · herald · anarchy · Mark Antony · rebellion · uprising · panic · riot · battlefield · mass destruction · fear
cries havocsoothes
Gently relieves distress
hushes · reassures · pacifies · pours oil on troubled waters · gentles
cries havocmakes peace
Resolves conflict amicably
keeps the peace · disarms · de-escalates · pacifies · quells