English Reference
Idiom idiom

yellow press


Newspapers which publish sensationalist articles rather than well researched and sober journalism.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

That newspaper is just yellow press.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician refused to answer questions from the yellow press, calling their stories dishonest and sensational.

COMPLEX

Serious scholars often dismiss the tabloid as mere yellow press, arguing that its focus on scandal undermines the integrity of public discourse.


first recorded 19th c.

From the comic feature "The Yellow Kid" in the Journal newspaper, first published in 1895.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    hot off the presses

    Freshly printed, minted, written, or created.

  2. 02

    press into service

    To make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to do; to make something serve a function, especially one it was not designed or intended for.

  3. 03

    press on

    To persist, to continue to advance.

  4. 04

    press the flesh

    To shake hands and socialize, especially in a political gathering.

  5. 05

    press the panic button

    To start to panic.

  6. 06

    pressed for time

    in a hurry, without spare time.

  7. 07

    see yellow

    To receive a yellow card.

  8. 08

    stop press

    Used to grab attention, implying importance, news-worthiness, etc.

Last updated August 10, 2026