shout fire in a crowded theater: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  United Statesformallegal
  • To make a false or reckless statement that is likely to cause immediate panic or harm; used as an example of speech that may be restricted because it poses a clear and present danger.
  • To intentionally create an alarm or incitement to chaos in a populated place, thereby endangering others.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Making baseless accusations is like shouting fire in a crowded theater—it causes unnecessary panic.

    Hacer acusaciones sin fundamento es como gritar fuego en un teatro lleno: causa pánico innecesario.

  • If you spread rumors that aren't true, you might as well shout fire in a crowded theater and expect chaos.

    Si difundes rumores que no son verdad, podrías gritar fuego en un teatro lleno y esperar caos.

  • They warned him not to shout fire in a crowded theater by exaggerating the threat of the virus.

    Le advirtieron que no gritara fuego en un teatro lleno exagerando la amenaza del virus.

• 2.

  globalinformalidiomatic
  • To utter or provoke a warning that will cause undue alarm or disorder; used metaphorically to describe speech that irresponsibly creates panic or serious consequences.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Her false alarm about the building's safety was like shouting fire in a crowded theater, causing people to flee in panic.

    Su falsa alarma sobre la seguridad del edificio fue como gritar fuego en un teatro lleno, causando que la gente huyera en pánico.

  • We shouldn't shout fire in a crowded theater by spreading unverified news that could lead to chaos.

    No deberíamos gritar fuego en un teatro lleno difundiendo noticias no verificadas que podrían causar caos.

  • The politician was accused of shouting fire in a crowded theater when he exaggerated the economic crisis to incite fear.

    El político fue acusado de gritar fuego en un teatro lleno cuando exageró la crisis económica para incitar miedo.