bear the brunt

USAGE SUMMARY

'bear the brunt' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or a group taking on the main part or majority of a negative experience or situation. For example: "After the economic downturn, small businesses had to bear the brunt of the losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spending should bear the brunt.

The Economist

Patients ultimately bear the brunt of this unhealthy atmosphere.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, civilians bear the brunt of the chaos.

The Economist

Communities of color will bear the brunt of marijuana legalization.

The New York Times

My spouse will bear the brunt of child-rearing.

The New York Times

Video journalists often bear the brunt of the censoring.

The New York Times

"It was us who had to bear the brunt.

The Guardian - Sport

Why should farmers bear the brunt of that?

The Guardian - Business

And yet women often bear the brunt of male violence.

The New York Times - Books

In times of crisis women bear the brunt.

The Guardian

Women will bear the brunt of these cuts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear the brunt" when you want to emphasize that someone or something is experiencing the most severe or negative effects of a situation. Be specific about who or what is bearing the brunt and the cause of the hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "bear the brunt" when the impact is evenly distributed. This phrase is best reserved for situations where one entity disproportionately suffers the consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear the brunt" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the act of enduring the worst part of something. Examples show it used to indicate who or what is most affected by negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "bear the brunt" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe enduring the worst part of a negative experience or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communication. While alternatives exist, such as "shoulder the burden" or "suffer the consequences", it's crucial to reserve this phrase for scenarios where the impact is disproportionately felt by a specific entity. Remember to be specific about who or what is "bearing the brunt" to ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the hit

Suggests absorbing a negative impact, often to protect others.

endure the worst

Highlights the act of persevering through a particularly negative experience.

feel the impact

Directly relates to experiencing the effects of something, whether positive or negative.

shoulder the burden

Focuses more on the responsibility and effort involved in managing a difficult situation.

experience the hardship

Emphasizes the difficult and challenging nature of the situation being endured.

suffer the consequences

Emphasizes the negative outcomes resulting from an action or event.

undergo the ordeal

Highlights the difficult and prolonged nature of the experience.

face the music

Implies accepting the repercussions of one's actions, often involving punishment or criticism.

weather the storm

Conveys the idea of surviving a difficult period and emerging stronger.

be at the receiving end

Implies passively receiving negative consequences or actions.

FAQs

How can I use "bear the brunt" in a sentence?

You can use "bear the brunt" to indicate that someone or something is experiencing the worst part of a negative situation. For example, "Small businesses will "take the hit" as a result of increased taxes."

What are some alternatives to "bear the brunt"?

Some alternatives to "bear the brunt" include "shoulder the burden", "endure the worst", or "suffer the consequences", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pay the brunt" instead of "bear the brunt"?

While some sources list "pay the brunt" as a possible alternative, "bear the brunt" is the more widely accepted and frequently used idiom. It's generally safer to stick with "bear the brunt" for clarity and wider acceptance.

What is the difference between "bear the brunt" and "shoulder the burden"?

"Bear the brunt" emphasizes experiencing the worst effects of something, while "shoulder the burden" focuses on taking on a responsibility, even if it's difficult. The first highlights suffering, the second, responsibility.