river of recrimination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "river of recrimination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a continuous flow of blame or criticism, often in a heated or emotional context. Example: "After the argument, the room was filled with a river of recrimination, as each person tried to shift the blame onto the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A bitter river of recrimination and regret separates the brothers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Conflicting accounts gave rise to a crossfire of recrimination.

The New Yorker

This sparked an explosion of recrimination on the centre-right.

The Economist

Instead, we're in a period of recrimination".

The New York Times

Devoid of recrimination, the proposition is in the hands of the electorate.

The New York Times

There is a feedback loop of recrimination playing in the streets of Ferguson.

The New Yorker

They want to form unions in order to negotiate higher wages without fear of recrimination.

The Guardian

A rail crash sends the media and the politicians into paroxysms of recrimination.

The Economist

The obbligato of recrimination is played with fierce, eye-popping authority by both actors.

The New Yorker

Why have there been such levels of recrimination over British troop numbers in Afghanistan?

Independent

There is no shortage of recrimination about how the Europeans handled the Cypriot situation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "river of recrimination" to vividly depict a situation filled with continuous and often bitter blame and accusations. This is best used when emphasizing the relentless and overwhelming nature of the recrimination.

Common error

Avoid using "river of recrimination" in situations where the blame or criticism is mild or constructive. The phrase's strong imagery is most effective when conveying intense conflict and negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "river of recrimination" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase, vividly describing an overwhelming and continuous flow of blame and accusation. It's used to depict situations characterized by intense conflict and negativity, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "river of recrimination" is a powerful metaphor used to describe a continuous and overwhelming flow of blame and accusations. While grammatically correct and understandable, it is relatively rare in everyday conversation, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts to vividly portray intense conflicts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. When employing this phrase, it's essential to consider the intensity of the situation, reserving it for scenarios where the blame is significant and the conflict is substantial. Alternatives like "torrent of accusations" or "flood of blame" can offer similar connotations with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrent of accusations

Replaces the "river" metaphor with "torrent", emphasizing a strong and forceful outpouring of accusations.

flood of blame

Similar to "torrent", "flood" suggests an overwhelming amount of blame being directed.

wave of criticism

"Wave" softens the intensity compared to "river", focusing on critical feedback rather than direct blame.

outburst of condemnation

Highlights a sudden and forceful expression of disapproval and censure.

cycle of accusations

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the blame, suggesting a continuous back-and-forth.

escalation of blame

Focuses on the increasing intensity of assigning responsibility for wrongdoing.

mutual blaming

Highlights the reciprocity of accusations, suggesting both parties are engaged in blaming each other.

blame game

An informal term for a situation where individuals or groups attempt to assign responsibility for a negative outcome.

accusatory environment

Shifts the focus to the general atmosphere of blame and accusation, rather than a specific flow.

atmosphere of finger-pointing

Uses the idiom "finger-pointing" to describe an environment dominated by blame and accusation.

FAQs

How can I use "river of recrimination" in a sentence?

You can use "river of recrimination" to describe a situation where there is a constant flow of blame and accusations, like: "After the company's failure, a "river of recrimination" flowed between the board members".

What are some alternatives to "river of recrimination"?

Alternatives to "river of recrimination" include "torrent of accusations", "flood of blame", or "wave of criticism", each suggesting varying degrees of intensity and focus.

Is "river of recrimination" a common phrase in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "river of recrimination" isn't a common idiom. It's more frequently used in writing to create a vivid image of intense blame and conflict.

What kind of tone does "river of recrimination" convey?

"River of recrimination" creates a negative and intense tone. It is best suited for describing situations filled with anger, resentment, and blame.