Scream . . .

Posted by R. Berg on April 12, 2001

In Reply to: Precise meaning of posted by phil seligman on April 12, 2001

: scream bloody murder

Well, the most literal meaning would be to scream "Bloody MUUUR-der!" When it comes to idioms, though, literal and precise are different things. I know of two common uses: To scream loud and long, as if you saw a maniac rushing toward you brandishing a sharpened ax. This is not too far from the literal meaning. To protest vehemently--a hyperbolic extension of use 1. "Taxpayers will scream bloody murder if the rates are raised."

• Scream . . . phil seligman 05/01/01
  • Scream . . . R. Berg 05/26/01