What is the origin of the idiom "hue and cry" and when to use it?

The idiom "hue and cry" originated in medieval England and is derived from the Old French term "huer et crier," meaning to shout and cry out. In medieval times, the "hue and cry" referred to the public outcry or loud pursuit raised by a community to apprehend a criminal or address an urgent matter. It was a communal alarm system, where people would make a loud noise and call out to alert others about a crime or danger. Over time, the expression has evolved into an idiom used more broadly to signify a public outcry or uproar over an issue.