scream blue murder Definition

blue murder
noun

1. colloq
Used in phrases describing a terrible din or commotion.

Idiom: scream blue murder (shout blue murder, cry blue murder)

To scream very loudly in pain, alarm, protest, anger, etc.

Etymology: 19c: possibly connected with the archaic French oath morbleu, literally ‘blue death'.

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murder
noun

1. The act of unlawfully and intentionally killing a person.

Thesaurus: killing, slaying, homicide, manslaughter.
2a. law.
In England and Wales: the killing of a person where there has been malice aforethought;
2b. law.
In Scotland and many US states: homicide committed purposefully and knowingly. Compare homicide, manslaughter.
3. colloq
Slaughter or death that is felt to be needless, brutal or blameworthy, as a result of recklessness, excessive or foolish behaviour, etc.
4. colloq
Something, or a situation, which causes hardship or difficulty.
Example: The traffic in town was murder today

verb murdered, murdering

tr & intr
1. To kill someone unlawfully and intentionally.

Thesaurus: slay, kill, assassinate, annihilate, slaughter, massacre, eliminate, hit (slang), rub out (US slang), bump off (slang), waste (US slang), do in (slang).
2. colloq
To punish someone severely or cruelly; to be furious with them.
Example: I'll murder him when he gets home
3. colloq
To spoil or ruin something (eg a piece of music), by performing it very badly.
4. colloq
To defeat someone easily and by a huge margin.
Example: Aberdeen murdered Rangers six nil

Derivative: murderer
noun

Someone who commits murder
Thesaurus: killer, assassin, hit man, slayer, butcher.

Derivative: murderess
noun

Idiom: get away with murder

colloq
To behave very badly or dishonestly and not be caught or punished.

Idiom: murder will out

Murder cannot remain hidden.

The truth will always come to light.

Idiom: scream blue murder (shout blue murder, cry blue murder)

colloq
To protest loudly or angrily.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon morthor, from morth death.