flurry of abuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flurry of abuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense outpouring of criticism or insults directed at someone. Example: "After the controversial decision was announced, the politician faced a flurry of abuse on social media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Iran, amid a flurry of abuse, said Germany's and Denmark's were not welcome.As France's general-election campaign got under way, the ruling centre-right coalition promised to cut taxes and government spending.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The developments come amid a flurry of historical abuse allegations against prominent figures.

The Guardian

By 1994, however, a flurry of sexual abuse cases involving students and school employees led Mr. Stancik and Chancellor Ramon C. Cortines to appoint a joint commission to study the problem.

The New York Times

She also has her own YouTube channel, which she believes may have been the prompt for a recent flurry of online abuse.

The Guardian

Mass at St .John's, included a strongly worded denunciation, referring to the scandal involving Archbishop Weakland and the recent flurry of sexual abuse cases involving priests and boys.

The New York Times

In September 1995, bass player Paul McGuigan walked out on the group after a flurry of verbal abuse from Liam whilst doing interviews in Paris.

Wikipedia

Gaga's fans, also known as Little Monsters, did not take the detracting lying down, unleashing a flurry of homophobic abuse at the openly gay blogger and his new son.

Los Angeles Times

There was a largely positive response; and there was also a banal online flurry of old-fashioned abuse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not when eight men and four women behind closed doors are discussing whether he ran a criminal enterprise out of City Hall, benefited from a flurry of bribes and abused his office to extort a free membership to a private club that had once snubbed him.

The New York Times

Best bit: Finishing Fluffy in a flurry of head banging and fret abuse the band, as one, drop their instruments and crowd-surf away into John Peel stage legend.

The Guardian - Music

The bishops intended their resolution in Dallas to be the turning point to restore trust in a church torn by scandal, and indeed they have galvanized dioceses across the country to initiate a flurry of measures to prevent sexual abuse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flurry of abuse" to describe situations where there is a sudden, intense, and often unexpected burst of criticism or insults. It's particularly effective when describing online reactions or public responses to controversial events.

Common error

While appropriate for news and some informal contexts, "flurry of abuse" can sound sensationalized in academic or business writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "wave of criticism" or "intense scrutiny" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flurry of abuse" functions as a noun phrase that describes a sudden and intense outburst of abusive language or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, fitting within standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flurry of abuse" describes a sudden and intense outpouring of negative comments or actions. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct and usable, although its frequency is rare. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight the intensity of criticism or insults directed at someone or something.

When using this phrase, consider the context. While acceptable in news reporting and less formal situations, more neutral alternatives like "wave of criticism" or "intense scrutiny" may be more appropriate for academic or business writing. Related phrases include "torrent of abuse", "onslaught of abuse", and "barrage of abuse", each carrying slightly different connotations regarding the intensity and duration of the abusive behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrent of abuse

This alternative emphasizes the overwhelming and continuous nature of the abuse.

onslaught of abuse

This suggests a fierce and sustained attack with abusive language.

barrage of abuse

This highlights the rapid and concentrated delivery of abusive comments.

deluge of abuse

This emphasizes the sheer volume and overwhelming quantity of the abuse.

wave of abuse

This suggests a sweeping and widespread occurrence of abusive behavior.

outburst of abuse

This focuses on the sudden and uncontrolled expression of abusive language.

spate of abuse

This indicates a series of abusive incidents occurring in a short period.

storm of abuse

This conveys the tumultuous and chaotic nature of the abusive situation.

hail of abuse

This suggests a rapid and forceful delivery of abusive remarks, similar to being hit by hail.

fusillade of abuse

This emphasizes a rapid-fire, almost military-style, delivery of abusive comments.

FAQs

What does "flurry of abuse" mean?

The phrase "flurry of abuse" describes a sudden and intense burst of abusive comments, criticism, or insults directed at someone or something. It suggests a rapid and often overwhelming outpouring of negativity.

How can I use "flurry of abuse" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where someone receives a lot of negative attention quickly. For example, "After the company's announcement, the CEO faced a "flurry of abuse" on social media".

What are some alternatives to "flurry of abuse"?

Alternatives include "torrent of abuse", "onslaught of abuse", or "barrage of criticism depending on the severity and context".

Is "flurry of abuse" appropriate for formal writing?

While "flurry of abuse" is acceptable in news reporting and less formal contexts, it might be too sensational for academic or business writing. Consider using alternatives like "wave of criticism" or "intense scrutiny" for a more professional tone.