pearl-clutchingnoun [ U ]
/ˈpɜːl ˌklʌtʃ.ɪŋ//ˈpɝːl ˌklʌtʃ.ɪŋ/disapproving a very shocked reaction, especially one in which you show more shock than you really feel in order to show that you think something is morally wrong:
Talking about sex always causes a bit of pearl-clutching.
His fake pearl-clutching was only intended to make her angry.
pearl-clutchingadjective
uk/ˈpɜːl ˌklʌtʃ.ɪŋ//ˈpɝːl ˌklʌtʃ.ɪŋ/disapproving having a very shocked reaction to something, especially showing more shock than you really feel in order to show that you think something is morally wrong:
They expressed pearl-clutching horror that she was an unmarried mother.
pearl-clutching hypocrisy