Scream blue murder

Meaning

Make a loud, angry complaint.

Usage

Used when someone reacts with theatrical fury.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Intense adjectives with murder highlight extreme outrage.

Used in British slang from the 19th century.