earn the wrath

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earn the wrath" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions that provoke anger or strong disapproval from someone. Example: "His reckless behavior at the meeting earned the wrath of his supervisor, who was not pleased with the disruption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

England also continues to earn the wrath of referees at the breakdown.

The New York Times - Sports

Too late, we earn the wrath of the male parent, a blaze of orange and angry chattering, a Baltimore oriole.

The New York Times

Dawes, who booted two goals, then collected Jack Ziebell in the fourth term to earn the wrath of the majority of the 17,174-strong crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

Those in New York City who refuse to evacuate will also earn the wrath of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, as well as the wrath of Hurricane Sandy itself, as Cara Buckley reported Sunday night.

The New York Times

Even companies like Amazon.com, which ranked highest among online retailers in the latest quarterly American Consumer Satisfaction Index released last month by the University of Michigan, can earn the wrath of customers.

The New York Times - Tech

One of the prominent "Reds" is the right-of-centre Sun columnist and former TalkSport host Jon Gaunt who, it says, "actually had the audacity to describe Nick Griffin as a 'knuckledragger'!" Griffin would deny any links between his party and Redwatch, but legitimate scrutiny or criticism of the BNP is all it takes to earn the wrath of the website.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

After being scratched, he earned the wrath of fans by playing golf the next day.

The New York Times - Sports

"Usually the defender just earns the wrath of the challengers," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

He started out as a budget-slashing conservative, earning the wrath of many interest groups.

The New York Times

Mr. DiScala says he knows he has earned the wrath of the city.

The New York Times

There are only choices and disputation and trade-offs: earning the wrath of some to do right by others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earn the wrath" when you want to emphasize that someone's actions directly caused a strong negative reaction from a specific person or group. It's particularly effective when the reaction is seen as a deserved consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "earn the wrath" in situations where a milder term like "displease" or "annoy" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong connotation of anger and should be reserved for situations where the negative reaction is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn the wrath" functions as a verb phrase where "earn" is the verb and "the wrath" is the direct object. It describes the action of causing someone to experience strong anger or disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earn the wrath" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies provoking anger or strong disapproval, often as a deserved consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its use in various contexts. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news, sports, and general discourse. Alternatives such as "incur disapproval" or "provoke anger" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Using "earn the wrath" appropriately involves reserving it for situations where a significant negative reaction is warranted, avoiding overuse in milder scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incur disapproval

Replaces "wrath" with a more general term for negative sentiment. The core meaning of provoking a negative reaction is maintained.

provoke anger

Focuses on the act of causing anger, offering a more direct and active alternative to "earn the wrath".

draw criticism

Emphasizes the reception of critical feedback as a consequence of actions, rather than intense anger.

invite condemnation

Highlights the act of encouraging strong disapproval, suggesting a more formal or severe judgment.

trigger outrage

Focuses on sparking widespread and intense anger, particularly in a public context.

face the music

Idiomatic expression implying acceptance of deserved punishment or negative consequences.

reap the consequences

Focuses on experiencing the results of one's actions, which may include negative reactions from others.

suffer the backlash

Specifically refers to experiencing a strong and negative reaction, often in response to a controversial action.

bring the house down on oneself

More dramatic, metaphorical way of saying something caused a lot of problems and negative reactions.

feel the heat

Suggests experiencing pressure or scrutiny as a result of one's actions, implying potential negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "earn the wrath" in a sentence?

You can use "earn the wrath" to describe a situation where someone's actions provoke anger or strong disapproval from another person or group. For example: "His controversial statement "earned the wrath" of the community."

What can I say instead of "earn the wrath"?

You can use alternatives like "incur disapproval", "provoke anger", or "draw criticism" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "earn the wrath" or "deserve the wrath"?

"Earn the wrath" implies that someone's actions caused them to receive anger or disapproval, while "deserve the wrath" suggests that someone's actions warrant or justify a negative reaction. The choice depends on whether you're focusing on the cause or the justification for the anger.

What's the difference between "earn the wrath" and "earn the ire"?

"Earn the wrath" and "earn the ire" are largely synonymous, both implying that someone's actions have provoked anger or strong disapproval. "Ire" tends to suggest a more intense or prolonged anger than "wrath", but the difference is subtle.