screamed blue murder
Raised loud alarm
To scream blue murder is to make a loud, dramatic outcry, typically in protest, alarm, or outrage.
The expression suggests an exaggerated or theatrical response to a situation, often one that doesn't warrant such intensity.
The toddler screamed blue murder when we took away the iPad.
Shareholders will scream blue murder if the dividend gets cut.
The phrase is more common in British English; Americans tend to say scream bloody murder.
- yellSpeak very loudly
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- exclaimSpeak out suddenly
- kick up a fussComplain noisily and dramatically
- shoutLoud vocal outburst
uproar · throw a tantrum · have a fit · raise hell · go ballistic · fly off the handle · lose one's mind · alarm · hysteria · bellow · make a scene · holler · histrionics · theatrics · shriek · objection · complaint · fury
screamed blue murderwhispered
Spoke without full voice
murmured · muttered · said nothing · kept quiet · barely audible
scream, screamed, screaming, screams, screamer, screamers, blue, blues, bluer