Opinion - Criticism

Master English idioms regarding criticism, like "be on the receiving end" and "throw cold water on".

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a flea in one's ear

[phrase]

a sharp expression of one's disapproval or criticism of someone as a result of their action or behavior

Ex: He went to complain to the manager and came back with a flea in his ear.

to have a go

[phrase]

to criticize someone severely because of what they said or did

Ex: My boss had a go at me for missing the deadline.

to read somebody the riot act

[phrase]

to angrily warn or threaten someone so that they will not make the same mistake

Ex: The principal read the boys the riot act after they broke the classroom window.

to rake somebody or something over the coals

[phrase]

to severely criticize someone because of their mistake

Ex: The manager raked him over the coals for losing the client's file.

to drag somebody or something over the coals

[phrase]

to subject someone to severe criticism

Ex: The committee dragged the proposal over the coals for ignoring safety concerns.

let somebody have it

[sentence]

to violently criticize or punish a person over what they did or said

Ex: When he came home three hours late, his father let him have it.

to whale on somebody or something

[phrase]

to strongly criticize someone or something for something bad that has happened

Ex: The press whaled on the mayor after the budget scandal.

water off a duck's back

[phrase]

(of criticisms or warnings) failing to have any effect on a person

Ex: The criticism was water off a duck's back to him.

in the firing line

[phrase]

likely to receive much criticism

Ex: The finance minister is on the firing line after the tax increase.

be on the receiving end

[phrase]

to experience the effects or consequences of actions, often from others

Ex: Local families were on the receiving end of the factory's pollution.

in full cry

[phrase]

used to refer to the act of doing something with a lot of energy and excitement

Ex: By noon, the campaign was in full cry across the city.

to throw cold water on something

[phrase]

to demotivate a person by talking negatively about their plans or opinions

Ex: I was excited about opening a café, but my brother poured cold water on the idea.

the pot calling the kettle black

[phrase]

used when someone is criticizing another for a fault that they have as well

Ex: He called me lazy, which is the pot calling the kettle black.

to take a beating

[phrase]

to face strong negative feedback or verbal abuse

Ex: The mayor took a beating in the press after the failed project.

Opinion
Agreement or Approval	Disagreement or Disapproval	Criticism	Rebuke
Expressing Opinions	Discussion	Point of View	Making a Point
Thoughts & Assumptions	Argument	Quarrel

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