shout fire in a crowded theater
To say something which is not protected by the First Amendment's right to freedom of speech because it would incite violence, panic or lawlessness.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You cannot shout fire in a crowded theater just for fun.”
“The judge explained that free speech has limits, such as when you shout fire in a crowded theater and cause a dangerous panic.”
“Legal scholars often cite the example of someone who chooses to shout fire in a crowded theater to illustrate why certain forms of speech are not protected by law.”
- 01
add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
- 02
ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
- 03
beat the crowd
To arrive at a location or complete a task before a large group of people do so.
- 04
catch fire
To become engulfed in flames, to combust.
- 05
crowd in on
To join when not wanted; to force one's way into a situation where one is unwelcome.
- 06
crowd sail
To carry an unusual amount of sail in an attempt to accelerate the speed of a vessel.
- 07
draw fire
To create a distraction that allows one's friends, co-workers, or other associates to gain an advantage over the distracted party.
- 08
escape fire
An unconventional or counterintuitive solution to a difficult problem.
Last updated August 10, 2026