# shout fire in a crowded theater

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/shout-fire-in-a-crowded-theater
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.