barrage of criticism

Meaning

A 'barrage of criticism' refers to an overwhelming, rapid, and continuous delivery of negative comments, complaints, or disapproval directed at someone or something. The word 'barrage' comes from military terminology (a heavy artillery fire), emphasizing the intense and aggressive nature of the feedback.

Examples

• The mayor faced a barrage of criticism after proposing the new tax hike.

  The mayor faced a barrage of criticism after proposing the new tax hike.

• The company's new policy was met with a barrage of criticism from loyal customers.

  The company's new policy was met with a barrage of criticism from loyal customers.

• He wasn't prepared for the barrage of criticism that followed his controversial remarks online.

  He wasn't prepared for the barrage of criticism that followed his controversial remarks online.

• Despite the barrage of criticism, the director stood by her artistic decisions.

  Despite the barrage of criticism, the director stood by her artistic decisions.

• The customer service department had to handle a barrage of criticism regarding the faulty software update.

  The customer service department had to handle a barrage of criticism regarding the faulty software update.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The politician received a barrage with criticism from the media.

  ✓ The politician received a barrage of criticism from the media.

  The noun 'barrage' is paired with 'of' to describe what the overwhelming quantity consists of.

• ✗ She was upset by the barrages of criticisms.

  ✓ She was upset by the barrage of criticism.

  'Barrage' is typically used in the singular form in this idiom, and 'criticism' is used as an uncountable noun here to represent collective negative feedback.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The celebrity faced a ___ of criticism after making the offensive post.

  💡 A rapid, heavy outpouring of something.

  Show answer

  barrage

• The new design was met with a barrage ___ criticism from the users.

  💡 Preposition connecting 'barrage' and 'criticism'.

  Show answer

  of