court controversy

Meaning

To deliberately behave in a way, or produce a work, that is highly likely to provoke public disagreement, anger, or intense debate. It implies that the person or work is actively inviting or seeking out the drama.

Examples

• The director is known to court controversy by tackling highly sensitive political issues in his films.

  The director is known to court controversy by tackling highly sensitive political issues in his films.

• Her provocative performance at the music awards seemed designed specifically to court controversy.

  Her provocative performance at the music awards seemed designed specifically to court controversy.

• While some artists try to avoid public drama, others actively court controversy to boost their sales.

  While some artists try to avoid public drama, others actively court controversy to boost their sales.

• The talk show host's outspoken comments on social media continue to court controversy.

  The talk show host's outspoken comments on social media continue to court controversy.

• Publishing the unauthorized biography was bound to court controversy among the royal family's supporters.

  Publishing the unauthorized biography was bound to court controversy among the royal family's supporters.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The comedian is trying to catch controversy with his jokes.

  ✓ The comedian is trying to court controversy with his jokes.

  The correct verb collocated with controversy in this context is 'court' (meaning to invite or seek), not 'catch'.

• ✗ His new movie courted a big controversy last week.

  ✓ His new movie courted controversy last week.

  'Controversy' is typically used as an uncountable noun in this idiomatic phrase, so we do not use the article 'a'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The fashion brand's latest advertising campaign seems to ___ rather than showcase the clothes.

  💡 To intentionally invite public disagreement or outrage.

  Show answer

  court controversy

• She chose a highly sensitive topic for her documentary, knowing it would ___.

  💡 To actively provoke public debate and anger.

  Show answer

  court controversy