[msrenee]

Pearl-clutching is an established idiom that's at least a good deal older than me. Honestly it's more likely that you haven't heard it because it's getting dated than because it's recent. Usually I hear it in the context of someone getting up in arms about something they consider immoral. Often the implication is that they're either being overly prudish or there's something hypocritical or judgemental about it. Someone might clutch their pearls at the idea that condoms can be bought at the drug store. Or they might do so at the idea that their children may be going to school with the children of those sort of people.