be trampled upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be trampled upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is treated with disrespect or is subjected to harsh treatment. Example: "In the chaos of the protest, the rights of the citizens seemed to be trampled upon by the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The other 48.3 percent cannot be trampled upon.

The New York Times

"Now, we have learned a lesson that if we don't unite as a community we will be trampled upon, we will be tricked and become poorer.

The Guardian

Mr. Fire said he pushed for last week's walkout to show G.E. that the workers are a force that cannot be trampled upon.

The New York Times

He does not believe that abortion should be outlawed, that gays are an abomination, that the environment should be trampled upon and gun control should be taken off the national agenda.

The New York Times

In 1953, there was a fleeting moment of hope for nappers when City Magistrate J. Irwin Shapiro dismissed charges against some subway-car sleepers, declaring them to be "human souls whose rights may not be trampled upon" and admitting that he had dozed off on the subway himself.

The New York Times

Many Yemen observers, especially during the stalemate that has ensued over the last few months, have become preoccupied with talk of inter-elite power struggles, seeing the broad-based youth movement as pawns to be trampled upon by the major players.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Doesn't he know what is happening here today, how this Constitution is trampled upon?

The New York Times

China is a land where protesting students and Tibetan freedom-fighters are killed, and where human rights are trampled upon.

The Economist

Kagame's Rwanda, say critics, is an authoritarian state where democracy and human rights are trampled upon and dissenters are hunted down.

The Guardian

"Over the last 22 years I have seen... the culture of Hawaii being trampled upon and this policeman treated my name as if it was mumbo-jumbo".

Independent

"The recruitment of terrorists in fact is easier in situations where rights are trampled upon and injustices tolerated over a long period of time," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be trampled upon" to describe situations where rights, feelings, or values are disregarded or violated, often by a more powerful entity or force. Ensure the context clearly indicates the entity doing the trampling and what is being trampled upon.

Common error

Avoid using "be trampled upon" solely for literal physical trampling (e.g., a crowd stepping on someone). While technically correct, it's often more impactful to use it metaphorically for violated rights, dignity, or principles. For literal scenarios, use simpler terms like "stepped on" or "crushed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be trampled upon" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is the recipient of an action that involves being oppressed or having their rights or values disregarded. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in indicating disrespect or violation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be trampled upon" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe situations where something is disrespected, violated, or disregarded. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive construction is most frequently found in News & Media sources. While its register is generally neutral, its impact lies in conveying a sense of injustice or oppression. When writing, be mindful of the entity doing the trampling and what exactly is being trampled, and consider synonyms like "be oppressed" or "be violated" for nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be oppressed

Focuses on the state of being subjected to unjust treatment and control.

be subjugated

Implies being brought under control by force or authority.

be suppressed

Indicates the forceful prevention of expression or action.

be violated

Emphasizes the infringement of rights or boundaries.

be disregarded

Highlights the act of being ignored or treated as unimportant.

be crushed

Suggests being overwhelmed or defeated, both physically and metaphorically.

be steamrollered

Implies being forcefully pushed aside or overridden.

be ridden roughshod over

Emphasizes a ruthless and inconsiderate treatment.

be walked all over

Focuses on the lack of respect and exploitation in a relationship or situation.

be treated with contempt

Highlights the feeling of disrespect and disdain.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is said to "be trampled upon"?

It means that something is being treated with disrespect, disregard, or is being violated. Often, it refers to rights, values, or principles that are ignored or suppressed.

How can I use "be trampled upon" in a sentence?

You might say, "The rights of the minority group were "being trampled upon" by the new legislation" or "His reputation was "trampled upon" by the scandal."

What are some alternative ways to say something "be trampled upon"?

You can use alternatives like "be violated", "be suppressed", or "be disregarded depending" on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative when something "be trampled upon"?

Yes, the phrase always carries a negative connotation. It implies that something valuable or important is being harmed or disregarded in an unjust or disrespectful manner.