come under attack

USAGE SUMMARY

"come under attack" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation when someone or something is receiving criticism, opposition, or criticism. Example: The candidate's policies have come under attack by the opposition party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would political enemies come under attack?

The New Yorker

Even the king has come under attack.

The New York Times

Lately, that reputation has come under attack.

The Economist

But two provisions may come under attack.

The Economist

Other multinationals have come under attack.

The New York Times

Parliament itself has come under attack before.

The New York Times

Also, what if they come under attack?

The Washington Post

The opera has already come under attack.

The Guardian

And why had he come under attack?

The Guardian

When those pillars come under attack, society is endangered.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Westerners started to come under attack with troubling frequency.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come under attack" to indicate a situation where something or someone is facing scrutiny, criticism, or opposition. It's particularly useful when describing a shift from a state of acceptance to one of contention.

Common error

Avoid using "come under attack" for mild disagreements or minor criticisms. This phrase suggests a significant level of opposition or hostility, not just a simple difference of opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come under attack" functions as a verbal phrase that describes a situation where a subject is the recipient of hostile actions, either physically or verbally. This function is supported by Ludwig's AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable. The phrase frequently indicates a shift from a state of relative peace or acceptance to one of conflict or opposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come under attack" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe situations where an entity faces significant opposition or criticism. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, it is important to use it appropriately, reserving it for scenarios involving genuine opposition rather than minor disagreements. Alternatives such as ""be criticized"" or ""face opposition"" may offer more nuanced options depending on the intended message. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be criticized

Directly points out the act of being judged negatively.

be subjected to criticism

Focuses specifically on the act of receiving criticism.

face opposition

Highlights the aspect of encountering resistance or disagreement.

draw fire

Metaphorically suggests attracting negative attention or criticism.

meet with disapproval

Emphasizes the encounter with negative sentiment or disagreement.

be targeted

Emphasizes the state of being a target of negative actions or words.

be challenged

Focuses on the aspect of being questioned or disputed.

encounter flak

Uses a more informal term, "flak", for strong criticism.

be censured

Highlights a formal expression of disapproval.

be impugned

Indicates that someone's character or integrity is being questioned.

FAQs

How can I use "come under attack" in a sentence?

The phrase "come under attack" is used to describe situations where someone or something is facing strong criticism or opposition. For example, "The company's new policy "came under attack" from employees."

What are some alternatives to "come under attack"?

Alternatives to "come under attack" include "be criticized", "face opposition", or "be targeted". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "coming under attack" instead of "come under attack"?

Both "come under attack" and "coming under attack" can be correct depending on the sentence structure. "Come under attack" is often used in past or future tense constructions, while "coming under attack" might be used in continuous tenses. For example, "The proposal is coming under attack from various groups."

What does it mean when something "comes under attack"?

When something "comes under attack", it means that it is being subjected to strong criticism, opposition, or hostility. This can apply to policies, ideas, individuals, or even physical locations.