cry havoc
Unleash destructive forces
Cry havoc is to sound an alarm or call for chaos and destruction.
The phrase comes from a military command releasing soldiers to pillage.
Shakespeare immortalized it in Julius Caesar: "Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war." Now it signals unleashing forces of disorder: The ruling will cry havoc in financial markets.
unleash
To release from restraint
- warpathHostile, aggressive stance
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
pandemonium · bedlam · anarchy · turmoil · destruction · carnage · rampage · uproar · tumult · strife
- battle criescharge, hooah, banzai, oorah, war whoop
- archaic exclamationsalack, alas, egad, egads, fie
- Caesar quotesveni vidi vici, et tu Brute, the die is cast
military/conflict command
cry havocstand down
Withdraw from readiness
ceasefire · hold fire · lay down arms · hold your fire · call a truce
cry, crying, havoc, cry out, cry wolf, wreak havoc, battle cry, war cry