receive rave reviews

Meaning

This idiom means to get highly enthusiastic, positive, and praising feedback from critics or the public. It is a very common collocation in the entertainment industry, used to describe films, plays, albums, or books that everyone is praising. The tone is positive and appreciative.

Examples

• The new Broadway musical has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

  The new Broadway musical has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

• Her debut novel received rave reviews, instantly making her a bestselling author.

  Her debut novel received rave reviews, instantly making her a bestselling author.

• Despite receiving rave reviews, the indie film didn't do very well at the box office.

  Despite receiving rave reviews, the indie film didn't do very well at the box office.

• The director's latest project is expected to receive rave reviews at the film festival.

  The director's latest project is expected to receive rave reviews at the film festival.

• I decided to watch the documentary because it received rave reviews online.

  I decided to watch the documentary because it received rave reviews online.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The play received angry reviews.

  ✓ The play received bad reviews.

  'Rave' specifically means highly enthusiastic and positive; it cannot be modified to mean angry or negative.

• ✗ The film got raving reviews from the press.

  ✓ The film received rave reviews from the press.

  While 'raving' exists, the standard, natural collocation is always 'rave reviews'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The low-budget horror movie unexpectedly ___ from top film critics.

  💡 Got highly enthusiastic, positive feedback.

  Show answer

  received rave reviews

• If a show doesn't ___, it might close after just a few weeks.

  💡 Get extremely positive feedback.

  Show answer

  receive rave reviews