earning the ire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earning the ire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or behaviors that provoke anger or resentment from others. Example: "His controversial remarks during the meeting ended up earning the ire of his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

No one was fired, so no one is denying that the ranks were filled with patronage and political hires — earning the ire of most Greeks.

The New York Times

The reigning Player of the Year has been terrible for the Blues this season, earning the ire of the supporters for his supposed part in the sacking of popular former manager Jose Mourinho.

Independent

He tweaked the site constantly, sometimes even earning the ire of users, as when it suddenly made some information that people had made visible only to friends available for all to see.

The New York Times - Tech

Familiar service was quickly resumed in Parramatta with Sydney fans mimicking the Wanderers chants and earning the ire of some locals as the two sets of fans claimed copyright infringement on a number of ditties.

The Guardian - Sport

By contrast, Romney has gone on record saying he does not support gay marriage, earning the ire of many gay Americans who say he is discriminating against the civil rights of fellow citizens.

The Guardian

Then there are those who water their grass deep into a drought, even when water restrictions have been declared -- the suburban version of parking in a handicapped drivers' spot -- earning the ire of everyone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Fun-loving Tom Liberatore's cameo for the Vietnam Swans has earned the ire of his AFL club Western Bulldogs.

The Guardian - Sport

David Cameron in 2006 earned the ire of Ukip by describing them as "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists, mostly".

The Guardian

The Congress party cannot afford to earn the ire of the Trinamul, since it is the UPA's second-largest partner (Telegraph India).

The New York Times

The shamelessly sentimental yarn from McCarey's own story centres on Father Chuck O'Malley Bing Crosbyy), a priest whose unorthodox methods initially earn the ire of a superior (Barry Fitzgerald).

Encyclopedia Britannica

By this time, Crosby had earned the ire of the Garden fans and was booed every time he touched the puck.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earning the ire" when you want to emphasize that a specific action or decision led directly to someone's anger or resentment. It's stronger than simply saying someone was disliked.

Common error

Avoid using "earning the ire" when describing mild disappointment or disagreement. 'Ire' suggests a stronger, more intense anger than terms like 'displeasure' or 'annoyance'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earning the ire" functions as a verbal phrase acting as the predicate in a sentence, indicating an action that leads to a specific consequence. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable. The examples from Ludwig show it's used to describe situations where someone's behavior results in anger or resentment from others.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earning the ire" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe actions that provoke anger or resentment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct. With a neutral to professional register, it's most frequently found in news and media sources. The phrase's strength lies in emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect relationship between actions and the resulting negative reactions. While interchangeable with alternatives like "provoking anger" or "inciting wrath", "earning the ire" offers a specific nuance appropriate for a range of analytical and descriptive contexts. Remember to use it when conveying a substantial level of anger, rather than mild annoyance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoking anger

Focuses on the action of causing anger, rather than the result of experiencing someone's disapproval.

inciting wrath

Implies a more intense level of anger than "ire", suggesting a more violent or extreme reaction.

drawing criticism

Highlights the act of attracting disapproval or negative feedback, which can be less intense than "ire".

incurring disapproval

Focuses on the act of bringing about a negative judgement from others.

stirring resentment

Emphasizes the act of creating a feeling of bitterness or indignation in someone.

raising hackles

An idiomatic expression that suggests provoking a defensive or aggressive reaction.

ruffling feathers

Suggests causing minor annoyance or disturbance.

antagonizing people

Focuses on actively causing someone to become hostile or unfriendly.

making enemies

Implies creating long-term animosity and opposition.

provoking animosity

Highlights the act of causing strong dislike or hatred.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "earning the ire"?

Saying someone is "earning the ire" means their actions or words are causing others to become angry or resentful toward them.

What can I say instead of "earning the ire"?

You can use alternatives like "provoking anger", "inciting wrath", or "drawing criticism" depending on the intensity and context.

Is "earning the ire" a formal or informal expression?

"Earning the ire" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. It's often found in news articles and analytical writing, but less common in casual conversation.

How do I use "earning the ire" in a sentence?

Example: "The politician's controversial statement ended up provoking anger/"earning the ire" of many voters."