Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

clutch one's pearls

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.34 in modern English

Syllables: clutch one's -pearls
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

16

Letters

2

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To react with consternation to someone or something that violates the usual norms.

Example Sentences

"Of course, you can't say any of this out loud, or people will clutch their pearls and call you a monster."
"I can tell you I've heard some ugly shit that would make Ozzy Osbourne clutch his pearls."
"Nala wasn't the type to clutch her pearls and run home."
"She had conceived of this gathering as an antidote to the typical women's retreats—she wanted to create a space for the women who feel like they don't quite fit into the Good Christian Lady story, the women who make other women clutch their pearls, the women who feel like zebras in a pasture filled with horses."
"A flashed badge wouldn't make anyone on the Strike management team clutch their pearls, except maybe Darryl, but he wasn't here."

Etymology

From the stereotype of a woman who wears pearls and is easily offended.

Inflected Forms

clutches one's pearls (present, singular) clutching one's pearls (participle, present) clutched one's pearls (participle, past) clutched one's pearls (past)

Phrases

pearl-clutcher pearl-clutchingly

Frequently Paired Words

pearl-clutcher pearl-clutchingly

Questions

What does clutch one's pearls mean?: To react with consternation to someone or something that violates the usual norms.
Where does clutch one's pearls come from?: From the stereotype of a woman who wears pearls and is easily offended.

How to pronounce clutch one's pearls

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