悲鳴を上げる (let out a scream)

The fixed phrase 悲鳴を上げる (also written 悲鳴をあげる), 'to let out a scream / cry of distress.' Built on the productive pattern of [vocalization] + 上げる ('raise') — also seen in 声を上げる ('raise one's voice'), 歓声を上げる ('raise a cheer'). Common in narratives and reactions to sudden events.