open to attack

USAGE SUMMARY

"open to attack" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate vulnerability to criticism or attack. For example, "The company's weak data security policies left them open to attack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lopez said that he left his chest open to attack, hoping that Sin's right kick would leave an opening for a return blow.

The New York Times - Sports

Nevertheless, Terray left himself open to attack by restricting free trade of grain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The checkpoints often cause traffic to back up, leaving vehicles open to attack.

The New York Times

Still, he has left himself open to attack by Fiorina and DeVore.

The New Yorker

If you do not arm, you leave yourself open to attack.

The Economist

I start to look for an arm or a hand, something, anything, open to attack.

The New York Times - Arts

Many are fixes for security vulnerabilities that could leave you open to attack.

The New York Times

If you do this, then they – we – become ever more open to attack.

The Guardian - Opinion

The so-called "bromance" with Mr Obama is certain to leave him open to attack by the Tea Party.

Independent

But he has provided no further specifics, confounding analysts and leaving himself open to attack from Democrats.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We shoot ourselves in the foot, leaving ourselves wide-open to attack from that inner tyrant that attacks the very core of who we are.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In political commentary, employ "open to attack" to analyze policy decisions or statements that could be easily criticized or challenged by opponents.

Common error

Avoid using "open to attack" when the situation only implies a minor inconvenience or disagreement. This phrase is more suitable when indicating a serious potential for harm or significant negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open to attack" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being vulnerable or susceptible to harm, both physically and figuratively. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "open to attack" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a state of vulnerability across a variety of contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to highlight susceptibility to harm, be it physical, critical, or exploitative. Its usage spans from neutral news reports to more formal scientific analyses. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations involving significant risks rather than minor inconveniences. When writing, consider alternative phrases like "vulnerable to assault" or "susceptible to criticism" to fine-tune your message. With these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately employ "open to attack" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulnerable to assault

Replaces "attack" with "assault", emphasizing physical or aggressive harm.

exposed to danger

Highlights the element of risk and potential harm.

unprotected from harm

Stresses the absence of any safeguarding measures.

susceptible to criticism

Shifts the focus from physical attack to verbal or judgmental critique.

without defenses

A more concise way of saying lacking protection

defenseless against aggression

Emphasizes the lack of protection and the presence of hostile action.

easily assailable

Highlights the easiness of conducting an attack.

liable to be targeted

Focuses on the increased probability of being chosen as a victim.

at risk of exploitation

Indicates a vulnerability to being taken advantage of.

subject to onslaught

Emphasizes the forceful and overwhelming nature of the potential attack.

FAQs

How can I use "open to attack" in a sentence?

You can use "open to attack" to describe something or someone vulnerable to criticism, physical harm, or exploitation. For example, "The company's lack of security measures left their data "open to attack"."

What are some alternatives to "open to attack"?

Alternatives include "vulnerable to assault", "susceptible to criticism", or "exposed to danger" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "open to attack"?

Use "open to attack" when there is a clear and present risk of harm, criticism, or exploitation. It is especially useful when discussing security vulnerabilities, political strategies, or personal weaknesses.

What's the difference between "open to attack" and "at risk"?

"At risk" generally implies a potential for harm, while "open to attack" suggests that the harm is more imminent and likely to occur due to a specific vulnerability or lack of defense. The phrase "open to attack" is used when the target is "easily assailable".