bore the brunt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bore the brunt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone who endures or suffers the main or worst part of the work, stress, or difficulty. Example sentence: "After the company went bankrupt, the CEO was forced to bear the brunt of the blame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Mayweather bore the brunt of it.

The New York Times - Sports

Donald again bore the brunt.

The Guardian - Sport

"I bore the brunt of sizzling disgrace".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Civilians bore the brunt of the strikes.

The New York Times

Cait – their standard-bearer – bore the brunt.

The Guardian

They bore the brunt of the arson and looting.

The Economist

Tanna, home to around 28,000 people, bore the brunt.

The Economist

Center Nick Mangold bore the brunt of that transition.

The New York Times - Sports

Peer review bore the brunt of your criticism.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Internet companies bore the brunt of the selling.

Los Angeles Times

Dallas bore the brunt of the storm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bore the brunt", ensure it clearly indicates who or what experienced the most significant negative impact. For example, "The small businesses bore the brunt of the economic downturn" clearly illustrates the primary sufferers.

Common error

Avoid using "bore the brunt" when the subject only experienced a minor inconvenience. The phrase signifies a major negative impact, so ensure the context aligns with that severity. For example, saying "The intern bore the brunt of making coffee" is a misuse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bore the brunt" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a subject has endured or suffered the most significant or severe impact of something negative. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

17%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bore the brunt" is a versatile idiom used to describe someone or something that has endured the worst part of an adverse event or situation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, including news, media, encyclopedias, science, formal and business. The phrase carries a neutral-to-professional register. It conveys a sense of significant impact or suffering. When writing, it's crucial to accurately attribute the impact, ensuring the subject genuinely experienced the most substantial negative consequences. Alternatives like "endured the worst" or "suffered the most" can be used to add variety, but "bore the brunt" remains a powerful and widely recognized expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endured the worst

Focuses on the act of withstanding the most severe part of a negative experience.

suffered the most

Highlights the experience of undergoing the greatest amount of pain or hardship.

took the hit

Emphasizes receiving the impact or damage, often unexpectedly or directly.

shouldered the burden

Implies taking on responsibility for a difficult task or problem.

faced the worst of it

Highlights confronting the most challenging or negative aspects of a situation.

withstood the impact

Focuses on resisting the force or effect of something.

absorbed the shock

Suggests mitigating the initial, intense effect of an event or situation.

carried the weight

Implies bearing the responsibility or stress associated with a difficult situation.

experienced the full force

Highlights undergoing the complete intensity or power of something.

felt the full effect

Emphasizes the complete consequences or impact of an event or action.

FAQs

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

Use "bore the brunt" to describe someone or something that has suffered the worst part of a negative impact. For example, "The coastal communities "bore the brunt" of the hurricane's force".

What are some alternatives to saying "bore the brunt"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "endured the worst", "suffered the most", or "took the hit".

Is it correct to say "bore the brunt of the responsibility"?

Yes, it's correct to say "bore the brunt of the responsibility" to indicate that someone had to manage the most difficult parts of a task or situation. For example, "She "bore the brunt" of the responsibility for the project's failure".

What is the difference between "bore the brunt" and "shouldered the burden"?

"Bore the brunt" implies suffering the worst effects of something, while "shouldered the burden" means taking on the responsibility or difficulty, not necessarily suffering damage. For example, a city "bore the brunt" of a natural disaster, but a leader "shouldered the burden" of rebuilding it.