hue and cry

noun

1

a

: a loud outcry formerly used in the pursuit of one who is suspected of a crime

b

: the pursuit of a suspect or a written proclamation for the capture of a suspect

2

: a clamor of alarm or protest

3

: hubbub

Did you know?

Let’s say it’s the Middle Ages in England and a villainous highwayman has just made off with your purse of gold. What do you do? You can’t call the police, because in medieval England there is no organized police force, much less telephones; indeed, 911 is even less than a joke in your town—it doesn’t exist! Instead, the job of fighting crime belongs to ordinary citizens. The first step is to raise a stink—victims of or witnesses to a crime are expected to yell something like “stop thief!” so that anyone who hears the “hue and cry” will be legally bound to join in the pursuit of the perfidious pilferer. Fast-forwarding to today, although hue and cry (hue comes from an Old French word meaning “noise” or “outcry”; cry comes from the synonymous Anglo-French cri) was used in legal contexts upon entering English in the 15th century, it now more often refers to general alarm, complaint, or protest.

Synonyms

• clamor
• howl
• hubbub
• hullabaloo
• noise
• outcry
• roar
• tumult
• uproar
• vociferation

Examples of hue and cry in a Sentence

There was a hue and cry in opposition to the film.

the hue and cry in the classroom when someone let loose a snake

Recent Examples on the Web

So the Establishment world that reads and writes has also joined the hue and cry. —Liz Smith, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024

Neither faced the hue and cry that enveloped Feinstein. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024

Much of the hue and cry arises from the fact that the appeal has delayed proceedings in Jack Smith’s case against Trump in federal court in D.C., which focuses on Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. —The Editors, National Review, 29 Apr. 2024

The hue and cry over this benighted movement, in which institutions of higher learning are turning their backs on their fundamental mission, will likely not be enough to stop the forces operating under the cover of budgetary necessity. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

hue outcry

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

hue and cry

noun

ˌhyü-

1

: a loud outcry formerly used in the pursuit of someone suspected of a crime

2

: a loud noise of alarm or protest